Backlash As Fed Govt Announces $1bn Social Programme, Atiku Promises Subsidy Reversal

The President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government and former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, faced backlash over policy statements and claims they made this week.

The Federal Government had announced the launch of a $1 billion social protection initiative aimed at moving vulnerable Nigerians from dependence on temporary palliatives to sustainable pathways of economic empowerment and self-reliance.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu disclosed this at the launch of the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project and four other initiatives designed to strengthen the country’s humanitarian response and poverty reduction plan.

She said the five initiatives, although serving different purposes, shared the objective of improving the well-being of vulnerable individuals, families and communities across the country.

However, opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP), alleged that the programme is designed to influence voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to ADC, the programme is a panic reaction to the proposal by its presidential candidate, Atiku, to introduce targeted production subsidies to reduce the cost of living if elected in 2027.

It is alleged that the government is now attempting to “buy Nigerians back” with a hastily introduced palliative programme ahead of the election.

The ADC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also questioned the source of the $1 billion, asking why the government had allegedly taken three years to respond to Nigerians’ hardship.

“For three years, Nigerians have cried under the weight of food prices, transport costs and collapsing purchasing power… Now that elections are approaching, it has suddenly found $1 billion for the poor,” he said.

Similarly, NDC questioned the timing of the programme unveiling, though, saying it welcomed any genuine intervention aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, argued that the closeness of the general election made the development open to political interpretation.

Also, the SDP described the initiative as a voter-inducement strategy packaged as an empowerment programme.

The party’s spokesman, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the intervention amounted to “a household votes prospecting outreach,” adding that such an initiative could not guarantee electoral victory.

Nevertheless, the ruling APC debunked the opposition’s claims, insisting that the proximity of next year’s polls does not mean the government should suspend its responsibilities to Nigerians.

The Director of Publicity at APC headquarters, Bala Ibrahim, said the Federal Government has a duty to continue implementing programmes designed to improve citizens’ welfare, regardless of the electoral calendar.

On the other hand, APC berated Atiku over his pledge to restore Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Atiku, during a Facebook Live session, said: “…if I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.”

But in his reaction, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the ADC presidential flag-bearer’s declaration as desperation taken too far.

Morka, in a post on his X, said it was unfortunate that the former Vice President, Atiku, backflipped from his 2023 support for fuel subsidy removal to a promise to restore the fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Moreso, APC flayed Atiku over the allegation that those in power “stole the economy” after allegedly stealing the 2023 election.

He  accused the APC-led administration of worsening the country’s economic hardship, declaring that the coming election would be a battle against those who had allegedly “stolen everything.”

“We are competing with thieves. They stole the election. Now they have stolen the economy. They have stolen everything,” Atiku said.

However, the APC Director of Publicity, Ibrahim, challenged Atiku to substantiate his allegations in court rather than making sweeping accusations against the government and its officials.

He said Atiku’s claims should be subjected to judicial scrutiny if the former vice-president genuinely believed that crimes had been committed.

Meanwhile, Tinubu met with APC governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the week.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, addressing journalists after the meeting, said the APC governors have pledged to deliver their respective states for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

He said the governors also reaffirmed their support for Tinubu’s re-election and promised to take leading roles in the campaign and mobilisation of support for the president across their states.

Uzodinma said the meeting focused largely on governance, particularly measures to reduce the cost of living and ensure that Nigerians feel the impact of the ongoing economic reforms.

He said the discussions covered transportation costs, food security, agriculture and measures to improve the welfare of Nigerians, as well as areas where the government could strengthen its interventions.

Uzodinma said Tinubu formally briefed the governors on the constitution of the Presidential Campaign Council.

Besides, APC reopened the party’s membership Electronic-Registration exercise across the country on Monday.

APC had closed its electronic registration on 8 February 2026 ahead of the party’s congresses and elective national convention.

The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Morka, invited all stakeholders, supporters and members, old and new, to participate in the exercise.

He said existing members are expected to validate their membership, while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family.

Morka also added that registrants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

Furthermore, the Obi/Kwankwaso (OK) Movement rejected any proposal to merge the organisation with the NDC,  insisting that it will retain its independence as a grassroots support group.

This was among the resolutions reached at the National Leadership Summit of the movement in Abuja, where it reaffirmed its commitment to

mobilising ordinary Nigerians behind the vision of a better Nigeria.