Why We Are Saying They Need To Admit, Because Removal Of Subsidy Is Not An Achievement — Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, has criticised the Federal Government’s fuel price intervention, describing it as one of the most cynical palliative measures Nigerians have witnessed. Abdullahi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, October 9, 2026.

He argued that even if the intervention was intended to cushion the effects of volatility in global crude oil prices. “So I think even as a palliative, let’s assume, for example, that what they are doing is responding to the global volatility in the price of crude and how it is pressuring energy cost and all that. Let’s assume that that’s what they are doing. We have seen similar palliatives in this country,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC spokesperson, however, argued that the current measure compared unfavourably with previous interventions, describing it as inadequate in addressing the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians. “This must be the most cynical, if not the most unintelligent, that we have seen,” he said.

Abdullahi called on the government to acknowledge the limitations of its approach, insisting that the removal of fuel subsidy should not be presented as an achievement in itself. “And that’s why we are saying they need to admit. I mean, because removal of subsidy is not an achievement. It’s a policy intervention,” he stated.

He said he watched the minister’s appearance the previous day and was left with the impression that the government was more concerned with defending its policies than responding to the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians. “And I listened to the Minister of Finance yesterday. I watched him. And he comes across to me as someone out to defend government policy rather than to respond to the needs of the people,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC spokesperson further likened the minister’s position to the economic thinking associated with neoliberal policies of the 1990s, which he said often presented difficult economic decisions as though no alternatives existed. “And he looks to me like one of those neoliberal fundamentalists of the 90s who would tell you there is no alternative. It’s either we do this or the country burns down,” he stated.

Abdullahi rejected what he described as the suggestion that the government’s economic approach was the only viable option available to Nigeria. “That is false parallel. We are saying there is an alternative. The fundamental duty of government is to protect citizens. And which they have failed to do,” Abdullahi added.

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