“We’re Waiting for Atiku’s Plan” — TUC Challenges Ex-VP Over Fuel Price Reduction Proposal

According to a report by Daily Post on Friday, October 23, 2026, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other politicians advocating cheaper fuel through reduced crude oil prices for local refineries to provide detailed plans explaining the financial implications of their proposals.

TUC President Festus Osifo said politicians must demonstrate how their proposed policies would affect government revenue, public spending and the ability of federal and state governments to meet their financial obligations. He stressed that proposals aimed at reducing petrol prices must be supported by realistic economic calculations.

Speaking during a national television programme, Osifo expressed concern about selling crude oil to domestic refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, at prices close to production costs. He warned that such arrangements could reduce Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and weaken revenue available for distribution through the Federation Account.

The labour leader recalled that when the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) financed fuel subsidies, remittances to the Federation Account declined, leaving some state governments struggling to pay workers’ salaries. He said similar financial consequences must be considered before introducing policies that could reduce government income.

Osifo also addressed campaign promises involving substantial increases in the minimum wage, including proposals to raise workers’ earnings to N500,000 or N1 million. While acknowledging that organised labour would welcome measures designed to improve workers’ welfare, he insisted that politicians must explain how such commitments would be funded.

He maintained that the TUC would resist policies that reduce fuel prices at the expense of workers’ salaries, healthcare, road infrastructure and other essential public services.

The TUC president said the congress was particularly interested in examining Atiku’s proposed approach to tackling fuel prices and its wider economic consequences.

“We are waiting for the holistic plan that Atiku has in order to address this issue,” Osifo said.

He emphasised that Nigerians deserved practical economic proposals backed by credible revenue projections rather than campaign promises without clear implementation strategies.

The TUC’s position highlights the continuing debate over fuel affordability, domestic refining and the need to balance lower energy costs with government revenue and workers’ welfare.