Atiku Urges Tax Cuts Amid Hardship
By Abba Dukawa
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to consider targeted fuel tax relief and other measures to ease the impact of rising living costs on Nigerian households.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said economic reforms should not leave Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities, including food and transportation.
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He spoke in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for his campaign council, in which he criticised the government’s economic messaging, saying it did not reflect the daily experiences of many Nigerians.
According to Atiku, some families are skipping meals, struggling with transportation costs and exhausting their earnings before the end of the month.
He also questioned Tinubu’s description of fuel subsidies as “addictive” and challenged the president’s assertion that salaries and pensions were being paid on time and in full.
Atiku contrasted Nigeria’s approach to fuel pricing with Germany’s reported decision to reduce taxes on petrol and diesel as part of measures to cushion households against rising costs.
He said Germany reduced fuel taxes by €0.17 per litre from October to December at an estimated cost of €2.5 billion, a measure he said was followed by a decline in pump prices.
Atiku argued that the German example showed how governments could intervene to reduce the impact of rising fuel costs on households
“When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more expensive. When transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more,” he said.
“The hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to the market and into their homes. Germany understands that when fuel prices put families under pressure, the government must act. Nigerians deserve the same compassion and urgency.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to introduce additional measures to cushion Nigerians from the immediate effects of its economic reforms.
“To every Nigerian forced to choose between feeding a family, paying for transport or meeting another basic need, I am deeply sorry. You did not deserve this hardship,” he said.
He said the success of the government’s reforms should ultimately be measured by whether they improve living conditions, while insisting that any intervention must be accompanied by transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
