The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has criticised African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his call on President Bola Tinubu to reduce petrol prices and ease the economic burden on Nigerians.
Morka accused the former vice president of failing to present a clear alternative to the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.
He spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, following Atiku’s call at a press conference in Abuja for the Federal Government to take steps to reduce petrol prices and address the rising cost of living.
“The last I checked, the former vice president is a candidate of a political party for the office of president. He should be telling Nigerians exactly what he plans to do to improve the lives of Nigerians,” Morka said.
He added that Atiku had yet to articulate what he described as a credible alternative to the government’s economic policies.
“Asking Mr President to listen to him, he is neither here nor there; he is simply just pulling his own political stunts. Atiku Abubakar is not someone who has managed to articulate any sensible position or policy, a proposal as an alternative to what this government has implemented or is implementing,” Morka said.
Atiku had urged Tinubu to use the remaining months of his administration to reduce petrol prices, arguing that rising energy and transportation costs were placing additional pressure on households, workers and businesses.
He also offered to make his policy framework available to the government, saying any measure capable of reducing the cost of living should be considered regardless of its source.
“A sensible idea does not become a bad idea because it came from your opponent,” Atiku said.
Morka, however, accused Atiku of supporting the removal of the petrol subsidy during the 2023 presidential campaign before criticising the policy after it was implemented by the Tinubu administration.
Atiku has also opposed the planned phase-out of electricity subsidies from 2027, arguing that households, small businesses and manufacturers are already struggling with high electricity, diesel and alternative power costs.
He said the experience of petrol subsidy removal should not be repeated in the electricity sector.
Responding to the proposal, Morka questioned Atiku’s record on the power sector during his tenure as vice president.
He argued that Atiku had an opportunity to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges while in government but failed to do so, and questioned why he was now proposing measures that, in Morka’s view, he could not implement when he had the opportunity.
The exchange comes as the cost of living and energy prices remain central issues in Nigeria’s political debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
