Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the removal of petrol subsidy on his first day in office, describing the decision as “hasty and thoughtless,” and accusing the administration of failing to cushion the economic impact on Nigerians.

 

In a strongly worded statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday, July 13, Atiku said the president’s abrupt announcement, made without consultations or mitigating plans, plunged millions into severe economic hardship.

 

“The President, on his first day in office, announced the removal of petrol subsidy without consultations or a plan to mitigate its impact on the poor and vulnerable. That hasty and, frankly, thoughtless decision set the stage for the punishing economic crisis Nigerians are facing today,” the former Vice-President said.

 

 

 

Atiku further criticized the Tinubu administration for not fulfilling its commitment to pay temporary wage awards to federal civil servants, a promise made to ease the burden of subsidy removal.

 

“In a bid to manage the self-inflicted crisis, the administration promised to pay a wage award to federal civil servants as a temporary cushion pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage. That promise, like many others under this government, has become a broken covenant,” he stated.

 

 

 

According to Atiku, while the federal government took ten months to conclude a new minimum wage agreement, only six months of the promised wage award have been paid, leaving civil servants shortchanged.

 

“Each worker is owed ₦35,000 monthly for four months, amounting to ₦140,000 per person. Yet, only six months have been paid—after repeated delays and failed assurances,” he noted, accusing the government of demonstrating “callous indifference” to the plight of Nigerian workers.

 

 

 

Atiku also condemned the recent arrest of labour rights activist Andrew Uche Emelieze, who was reportedly detained while attempting to stage a peaceful protest over the unpaid wage awards.

 

“Instead of engaging in dialogue or fulfilling its promises, the government has now resorted to tyranny and suppression of free speech. His only ‘crime’ was speaking up for workers abandoned by the state,” Atiku said, calling for Emelieze’s immediate and unconditional release.

 

 

 

The former Vice-President warned that the government’s repressive approach could further fuel social unrest.

 

“His continued detention is an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration,” he said.

 

 

 

Atiku concluded his statement with a powerful message to the authorities:

 

“Let it be known: Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act, not repress.”