Says Atiku’s U-turn without accountability is dishonest; calls for restoration of subsidy regime with intelligent application

Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the “father of subsidy removal” in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, saying his recent reversal on fuel subsidy removal deserves an explanation and an apology to Nigerians.

Hashim said he had consistently opposed the removal of subsidy on petroleum products and reiterated his position during an interview on Trust TV last week, where he advocated restoring subsidy on petroleum and other strategically important products as part of measures to protect citizens and productive sectors from excessive economic shocks.

According to Hashim, the subsequent change of position by politicians who previously advocated subsidy removal raises questions about the sincerity and originality of their new positions.

“Some candidates who campaigned in the last election to remove subsidy are now reversing themselves without even regretting their earlier display of ignorance and lack of compassion for the people.”

Hashim specifically criticised Atiku for changing his position without acknowledging his previous advocacy for subsidy removal.

“Atiku’s recant on subsidy removal without an apology is dishonesty. If you change your position because circumstances or evidence have changed, tell Nigerians why you changed. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. What is wrong is pretending that you never held the position in the first place.”

He said Atiku, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi all campaigned on subsidy removal during the 2023 presidential election, while he, Omoyele Sowore and Prince Adewole Adebayo opposed the policy.

Hashim argued that Atiku’s position on subsidy removal predates the Tinubu administration, describing the former vice president as one of the earliest major advocates of subsidy removal and wholesale privatisation during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

“The truth of the matter is that Atiku, before Tinubu, on the National political scene, has been the father of the idea of subsidy removal and wholesale privatization in this republic, he and his so-called economic team.

We combatted them vigorously during the early period of the Obasanjo government.”

‘We opposed subsidy removal when it was politically inconvenient’
Hashim recalled that in 1999, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Atiku served as Vice President and headed the government’s economic team, the administration increased petroleum product prices and removed subsidy.

He said he and other PDP officials publicly opposed the decision.

According to him, Alhaji Iro Dan Musa, then PDP Deputy National Chairman; Harry Marshall, National Vice Chairman, South South; Abubakar Magaji, National Vice Chairman, North Central; Emmanuel Ibeshi, National Publicity Secretary; and himself, then Deputy National Publicity Secretary, jointly addressed a press conference condemning the increase in petroleum prices and subsidy removal.

Hashim added that the National Assembly also passed resolutions against the policy, after which the executive reversed its decision.

“We opposed subsidy removal when it was politically inconvenient to do so. We did not suddenly discover the suffering of Nigerians because another election is approaching.”

He said the historical record demonstrated that his opposition to subsidy removal was not an electoral strategy.

Hashim proposes targeted subsidy system. Hashim said the debate should move beyond the simplistic argument that every subsidy is wasteful and instead focus on designing a transparent and sustainable system that protects citizens and productive economic activity.

He argued that subsidy can be deployed strategically to reduce production costs, protect purchasing power, support industrial activity and prevent sudden economic shocks. He argued there is subsidy in America and Europe, only ignorant and wicked people make blanket argument against subsidy”

“Our position is simple: restore subsidy on petroleum products and other strategic products where necessary, but do it intelligently. Subsidy should be targeted at protecting the Nigerian economy and Nigerian people, not at enriching intermediaries.”

He proposed that any future subsidy regime should be built around targeting, transparency, measurable economic outcomes and strict accountability, rather than open-ended payments to importers or politically connected intermediaries.

According to him, “our own government would identify strategic products and sectors where price shocks have economic wide consequences, establish clear eligibility criteria, publish the fiscal cost and beneficiaries, and periodically assess whether the intervention is delivering measurable economic benefits.”

He also assured that stronger domestic production would be an essential component of a sustainable subsidy policy.

“The objective would be to use subsidy as a bridge to greater domestic productive capacity not as a permanent excuse for dependence on imports.”

Hashim also criticised sections of the media for failing to sufficiently scrutinise changing political positions.

He alleged that politicians with greater access to media platforms could appropriate ideas previously advanced by less powerful political actors and subsequently present them as their own.

“They lack originality and their fans in the media never take them to task.

Instead, they promote these corrupt and dishonest politicians as major candidates.”

He added that, “only God knows how many of our ideas they would pirate before the election and use their big megaphone to amplify.”

Hashim said the 2027 Presidential election should be defined by competing ideas and credible economic programs rather than political imitation.

“Nigeria needs originality, courage and compassion in leadership. We cannot continue recycling people because they have the biggest megaphone. We must begin to ask who said what first, who stood by the people when it was difficult, and who has a credible plan to rebuild the economy.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to an economic programme focused on affordable energy, Strategic market repositioning as a reliable supplier of energy to the world, protection of domestic productive capacity, industrialisation, job creation, stronger purchasing power and strategic government intervention in critical sectors.

“The Nigerian people are not laboratory animals for politicians to experiment on and then return to them during election season with a new script. We must learn from our mistakes, tell the truth about them and build a better economic future,” Hashim said.

Fear has gripped residents of Igbojaye farm settlement in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State following the reported killing of a farmer by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The victim, identified by community sources as “Jeje,” was reportedly attacked while working on his farm and allegedly macheted repeatedly by the attackers until he died from his injuries.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on August 18, is said to be the latest in a series of attacks allegedly targeting farmers in the area within the past two months.

According to information from the community, a farmer was allegedly attacked and wounded on June 28, while another farmer reportedly escaped a similar attack on August 17, a day before the latest killing.

The recurrence of the incidents has reportedly heightened fear among farmers in Igbojaye and surrounding farm settlements, with some residents now concerned about going to their farms.

Community members fear that the attacks could threaten agricultural activities and livelihoods in the area if urgent security measures are not put in place.

They are therefore calling on the Oyo State Government and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps and the Department of State Services, to urgently investigate the incidents, identify and arrest the perpetrators, and increase security patrols around vulnerable farm settlements.

The residents also appealed to traditional rulers, local government authorities, farmers’ representatives and herder leadership to engage in urgent dialogue to prevent further attacks and possible reprisals.

The latest incident has further heightened concerns over the safety of rural communities in Itesiwaju LGA, with residents urging authorities to take immediate action to restore confidence and protect farmers during the farming season.

The report is based on information obtained from community sources. The identity of the perpetrators and other details of the incident are yet to be independently confirmed by security authorities.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have renewed their political and economic battle over fuel subsidy, with both sides trading sharp words over how best to address Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has fired back at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the President’s criticism of his proposed intervention in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The latest exchange followed Atiku’s proposal for a new petroleum-sector intervention aimed at reducing the impact of high petrol prices on Nigerians. The proposal has reignited the long-running debate over the removal of fuel subsidy, one of the most consequential economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, rejected Tinubu’s description of the proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”

Instead, Atiku accused the President of presiding over an economy in which government revenues have increased while the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians has declined.

He argued that the removal of the subsidy had triggered higher petrol, transportation and production costs, while the depreciation of the naira and rising food prices had further intensified the pressure on households and businesses.

Atiku insisted, however, that his proposal should not be interpreted as a return to the former open-ended petrol subsidy regime.

According to him, what he is proposing is a targeted, capped, budgeted and time-bound production-support mechanism tied to domestic refining and subject to independent auditing. He said the objective would be to support local production and protect consumers from severe price shocks while reducing dependence on subsidy over time.

The former vice president also questioned the government’s claim that petrol subsidy had been completely eliminated.

He cited what he described as approximately ₦17.5 trillion in petroleum-related under-recoveries and energy-security costs reportedly contained in the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, asking why such costs still existed if subsidy had truly disappeared.

Atiku further challenged the administration to explain about ₦30 trillion in Federation Account revenues, deductions, savings and transfers, as well as other fiscal figures he said deserved greater transparency.

He maintained that economic reforms should ultimately be judged by their impact on citizens rather than simply by the amount of money accruing to government.

“Economic reform is not measured by how fat government accounts become while citizens grow poorer,” Atiku said.

Tinubu’s position

President Tinubu and the Presidency have defended the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the old system had become financially unsustainable and was draining public resources.

The Presidency has also challenged Atiku to explain how his proposed subsidy intervention would be funded without imposing another burden on Nigeria’s finances.

The administration maintains that subsidy removal was necessary to free government resources, improve fiscal sustainability and strengthen the capacity of the Federal Government and states to fund development.

Tinubu had criticised Atiku’s proposal, describing it as evidence of what he regarded as a lack of understanding of governance and economics. The Presidency subsequently accused Atiku of attempting to revive a policy that the current administration believes had become unsustainable.

Atiku, however, dismissed that argument, maintaining that changing economic circumstances could justify a different policy approach.

He argued that supporting domestic refining and introducing a controlled intervention would be fundamentally different from the former subsidy system, particularly if every barrel and government expenditure were independently tracked and audited.

2027 political battle enters economic territory

The dispute comes as Nigeria’s political atmosphere intensifies ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu seeking another term and Atiku emerging as the ADC presidential candidate.

The renewed subsidy controversy has therefore become more than an economic argument, with both camps using the debate to present contrasting visions of how Nigeria’s economy should be managed.

While the Tinubu administration points to increased government revenues and the need to maintain its reforms, Atiku is focusing on the effect of those policies on household purchasing power, fuel prices and the broader cost-of-living crisis.

The latest exchange has effectively reopened one of Nigeria’s most contentious economic debates: whether the removal of petrol subsidy should be maintained as a permanent reform or whether government should introduce a carefully controlled intervention to cushion consumers and support domestic petroleum production.

With both men already positioned on opposite sides of the 2027 political contest, the subsidy debate is likely to remain a major issue as the election approaches.

The Oyo State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state to commemorate this year’s Isese Day celebration.

Isese Day, observed annually on August 20, celebrates Yoruba indigenous culture, traditions and traditional religion. The occasion provides an opportunity for adherents to observe their spiritual traditions while promoting the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

The declaration is consistent with Oyo State’s recognition of August 20 as Isese Day. The state has previously used the occasion to promote cultural heritage and encourage peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.

The 2026 observance falls on Thursday, August 20, with Oyo among the Southwestern states expected to observe the day as a state-level public holiday. It is not a nationwide public holiday.

The celebration is expected to feature various cultural and traditional activities, including prayers, cultural displays, traditional music and other programmes aimed at preserving indigenous heritage.

The Ekiti State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old Dandam Happiness, who has been missing since August 10, 2026.

Happiness reportedly left her residence in Ado Ekiti at about 4:00 p.m. on August 10 for an unknown destination but has not returned home or made contact with her family since then.

The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear, prompting the police to commence an investigation aimed at determining her whereabouts and establishing what may have happened to her after she left the residence.

The Command is expected to work with the family and other relevant persons as investigators intensify efforts to trace her movements and establish possible leads that could assist in locating her.

The police have also urged members of the public who may have seen Happiness or have any useful information concerning her whereabouts to come forward and assist the investigation.

The disappearance has raised concern among her family and community members, who are appealing for any information that could help bring her safely back home.

Anyone with credible information about Dandam Happiness is advised to contact the nearest police station or the Ekiti State Police Command.

The Police Command assured the public that all relevant leads would be thoroughly investigated as efforts continue to locate the missing 19-year-old.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, describing the outcome as a reflection of the will and confidence of the people.

Tinubu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said he had personally called Adeleke to congratulate him on his victory. He wished the governor “great success” as he prepares to lead Osun State for another four years.

The President, however, urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of Osun State, irrespective of their political choices, and rally them towards growth, stability and socio-economic progress.

“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election.”

Tinubu also commended the other contestants for their courage and discipline during the election, saying their participation strengthened Nigeria’s democratic culture. He further praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent election.

Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, was declared winner after securing 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

Says Accord Party’s Performance Is Also a Victory for Democracy

Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome of the governorship election as a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State.

Hashim, in a congratulatory message, commended the people of Osun for exercising their democratic rights and participating in the electoral process.

He said the election had once again demonstrated the power of the people to determine who governs them through the ballot.

“This victory is, above all, a testament to the power of the people and the enduring strength of democracy. When citizens exercise their civic responsibility with courage and conviction, their voice can shape the direction of their state,” he said.

Hashim also congratulated Accord Party leaders, members and supporters who participated in the election, describing their performance and commitment as part of the broader democratic gains recorded in the state.

He said Accord’s participation reinforced the principle that Nigeria’s democracy must remain open to genuine political competition and that every political party and candidate has a role to play in strengthening the democratic process.

The Accord presidential candidate urged Governor Adeleke to see his re-election as a renewed mandate to serve all residents of Osun State, irrespective of political affiliation.

“Elections end, but governance continues. The real responsibility now is to build an Osun where every citizen has a sense of belonging, where development reaches every community, young people have meaningful opportunities, and peace, justice and prosperity remain shared aspirations,” Hashim said.

He also urged all political actors and citizens to put the contest behind them and work towards the development of the state.

“To Governor Adeleke, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued wisdom and success in the service of the people of Osun State.

“To the people of Osun, your voice has been heard. Your mandate has spoken. May this new chapter bring greater peace, progress and prosperity to your dear state,” he added.

Hashim concluded by congratulating Governor Adeleke, the people of Osun State and the entire Accord family, while reaffirming his commitment to democratic renewal and the building of a better Nigeria.

“Above all we give Glory to God” he said.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured victory in 19 of Osun State’s 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the ongoing governorship election results collation, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, has won 11 LGAs.

The results are being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the State Collation Centre in Osogbo.

However, INEC has not yet formally declared the overall winner of the election. The LGA results announced so far only indicate the performance of the candidates across the state, while the commission is still completing the collation of the aggregate results.

Adeleke, the incumbent governor, is seeking another term in office, while Oyebamiji is challenging for the governorship on the APC platform.

The election was held across the 30 LGAs of the state on Saturday, with voters choosing among candidates from various political parties.

The exercise was largely completed across the state, although there were reports of isolated challenges, including delays, malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and allegations of vote-buying and other electoral infractions in some locations.

With Adeleke currently leading in 19 LGAs to Oyebamiji’s 11, attention has shifted to the completion of the state-level collation and the final tally of votes scored by each candidate.

Until the Returning Officer officially announces the final statewide result and declares a winner, it remains premature to report that Adeleke has been declared the winner of the Osun governorship election.

The final declaration by INEC is expected to determine whether Adeleke will retain the Osun governorship for another term or whether the APC will take over the state.

Voting is currently underway across Osun State as residents head to polling units to elect the governor who will lead the state for the next four years. The election, being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is taking place across all 30 local government areas of the state.

A total of 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible for the election, with 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected ahead of the poll. Fifteen political parties are participating in the contest, following the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot after a court order.

The major battle is between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Adeleke is seeking another term, while the APC is seeking to reclaim the state and the ADC is positioning itself as a major alternative in the contest.

Early reports indicate significant voter turnout in several polling locations, while electoral officials and security agencies continue to oversee the process. There have also been isolated incidents of tension at some polling units, underscoring concerns about security and the need for a peaceful election.

Meanwhile, election-monitoring organisation Yiaga Africa says it is deploying artificial intelligence and its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) system to independently scrutinise results as they emerge. The organisation says the initiative is designed to strengthen transparency and provide an independent assessment of the final outcome.

The election is being closely watched beyond Osun, with observers describing it as an important test of Nigeria’s electoral institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Attention will now shift to counting, transmission and collation of results after voting ends.