General News
Atiku accuses Tinubu govt of applying double-standard on patrol subsidy policy
*** Clarifies position on proposal to restore petrol subsidy
By Chidera Orji
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of applying a double standard in its petrol subsidy policy, alleging that petroleum companies receive generous fiscal incentives while ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the burden of rising fuel prices.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He questioned the government’s decision to abolish petrol subsidies while continuing to offer tax credits, concessions and other incentives to investors in the oil and gas sector.
According to Atiku, Nigerians were told that removing the subsidy was necessary to reform the economy, but the government allegedly takes a different approach when dealing with major oil investors.
“Nigerians were told there was no alternative and that enduring this pain was the necessary price of economic reform. But when major oil investors knock on Tinubu’s door, the sermon changes,” he said.
Atiku specifically cited the Federal Government’s deep offshore oil and gas incentives framework, which he said provides eligible projects with production tax credits of between $3 and $4.50 per barrel, with additional incentives capable of taking the total benefit to as much as $11.50 per barrel under certain conditions.
He therefore questioned why government intervention was considered undesirable when aimed at helping consumers but acceptable when it benefits investors.
“So, what exactly is Tinubu’s objection: government intervention itself, or government intervention for Nigerians?” Atiku asked.
Atiku Questions ‘Subsidy-Free’ Claim
The former vice-president also challenged the Federal Government’s claim that petrol subsidy had been completely eliminated.
He referred to the audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which, according to him, recorded about N4.84 trillion in energy-security expenses and related shortfalls in 2023 and approximately N7.13 trillion in 2024.
Atiku said NNPCL had attributed part of the expenditure to the gap between the exchange rate used to determine the regulated PMS ex-coastal price and the prevailing exchange rate when import obligations were settled.
He questioned why such huge public funds were still being spent to bridge pricing gaps if Nigerians were already paying market-driven petrol prices.
“So, where exactly did the subsidy go?” Atiku asked, arguing that changing the terminology to “under-recovery”, “shortfall” or “energy security” did not change the fact that public resources were being used to cover the difference between the economic cost of petrol and its selling price.
‘We’re Not Returning to the Old Subsidy Regime’
Atiku also clarified his position on his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
He said his proposed intervention would not amount to a return to the previous open-ended and opaque subsidy system.
Instead, he said his administration would introduce a targeted and capped programme that would be transparently budgeted and independently audited, while linking the intervention to increased domestic production.
He also proposed measures aimed at expanding refining capacity, promoting competition and improving the purchasing power of households.
“You cannot subsidise capital and criminalise relief for citizens. You cannot offer cushions upstairs and call suffering downstairs reform,” Atiku said.
The ADC candidate further called for greater transparency surrounding tax credits, remissions and other incentives granted to petroleum companies.
He demanded disclosure of the beneficiaries of such incentives, the amount of government revenue forgone and the investments delivered in return.
Atiku also argued that Nigerian investors should have equal and transparent access to similar incentives.
He maintained that the success of economic reforms should ultimately be judged by whether they improve the living standards of Nigerians rather than by the level of hardship citizens are forced to endure.
His comments come days after he said he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
President Bola Tinubu has, however, criticised Atiku’s position, describing the former vice-president as “ignorant of governance and the economy.”
General News
Panel recommends dismissal of NSCDC commandant, other officers, compensates victims’ families
By Our Reporter
The Chairman of the Independent Investigative Committee on the death of some Niger miners in the state, Jonathan Kure, has recommended that one point four billion be paid to the families of 33 victims and 44 survivors.
Speaking in Abuja while presenting the report of the committee on Tuesday, Kure said the deaths were avoidable as the victims, including 14 minors, were held in inhuman conditions.
The committee also recommended summary dismissal of the state commandant of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all other officers who were directly involved in the detention and eventual death of the miners.
The committee equally recommended institutional reforms for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in order to strengthen the leadership of the corps.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who received the report, promised to implement the recommendations of the committee in order to ensure justice for all affected persons.
Tunji-Ojo also directed the commandant of the Corps to immediately suspend all officers who cleaned up the detention centre in order to destroy evidence.
By Our Reporter with agency report
President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the Senate for a 2026–2027 supplementary external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion dollars and 1.05 billion euros.
Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary on Tuesday.
Tinubu said the proposed borrowing plan would be utilised on critical sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply, security, employment generation and financial management reforms.
He said the funds would help address the country’s infrastructure deficit and bridge the financing gap required to implement critical development projects.
The president said that the projects and programmes under the plan were selected following technical and economic evaluations, with consideration on its anticipated contributions to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.
“These initiatives aim to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and enhance food security, all of which improve the livelihood of the Nigerian child,” he said.
Tinubu said most of the projects and programmes would be implemented across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. (FCT).
He said substantial investment in infrastructure remained necessary to support economic growth and address longstanding development challenges.
“In light of the need for significant infrastructure investment in the country and the vast financial resources needed to address this gap.
“It has become essential to pursue prudent external borrowings to close the financing shortfall,” the President said.
He said the funds would primarily be channelled into critical infrastructure projects, particularly in the power, transportation and healthcare sectors.
Tinubu urged the Senate to give the borrowing plan urgent consideration, adding that approval would enable the government to meet its obligations to Nigerians through timely disbursements and effective project implementation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said that the borrowing plan had been previously featured in the approved borrowing plan of the federal government.
He thereafter referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further legislative inputs with collaboration from the Committees on Appropriations and Finance.
“The borrowing plan is attached, but of course, this was even earlier approved in our budget, and also the external borrowing plan was approved as far back as 2025 to 2027,” Akpabio said. (NAN)
England captain Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or winner, beating Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé to claim the prestigious individual award.
Kane received the award at the Palladium Theatre in London, United Kingdom, on Monday, becoming the first English player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33-year-old striker enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 season, scoring 73 goals for club and country. His goals played a key role in helping Bayern Munich secure the German Bundesliga title and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Kane also captained England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where the Three Lions finished with a bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Spain legend Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, joining fellow Spaniard Aitana Bonmatí as the only players to have achieved the feat.
Putellas’ latest triumph further underlines her status as one of the most decorated players in women’s football.
Earlier in the ceremony, Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Trophy in recognition of his humanitarian and charitable activities.
Saka was honoured for his charity work, which has supported surgeries for children in Nigeria and other African countries.
Full List of 2026 Ballon d’Or Winners
1- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
2- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
3- Best Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal and Vicky López
4- Best Goalkeeper Trophy: Cata Coll and Unai Simón
5- Women’s Best Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
-6- Men’s Best Striker of the Year: Harry Kane
7- Best Men’s Coach: Luis de la Fuente
8- Best Women’s Coach: Pere Romeu
9+ Men’s Best Club: Paris Saint-Germain
10+ Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona
11- Socrates Trophy: Bukayo Saka
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