The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to show Nigerians evidence of the promised reduction in transportation fares.
Atiku made the criticism in his Independence Day message on Thursday, hours after Tinubu, in his nationwide broadcast, addressed the economic challenges facing Nigerians and highlighted measures being taken by his administration.
The former Vice President questioned the President’s promise that Nigerians would begin to see measurable reductions in transportation fares from October 1.
“Before I forget, you promised Nigerians lower transport fares from October 1st. Today is October 1st. Did your promise materialize?” Atiku asked.
He also criticised Tinubu for referring to his proposal to make life more affordable during the Independence Day address, arguing that the President failed to provide details of the transportation fare reductions.
“In your Independence Day speech, you found time to attack my plan to make life affordable. But you did not tell commuters which additional routes became cheaper today. What the fares were before, what they cost now, or how many people can use them,” he said.
Atiku acknowledged that lower fares on some routes would be welcome but argued that such reductions would not address the wider transportation challenges confronting Nigerians.
“Lower fares on a few routes are welcome. But they do not solve the transport crisis facing the rest of the country. Absolutely not,” he said.
He then questioned the basis of Tinubu’s October 1 target, asking whether the promise was merely a response to his proposal for a production subsidy.
“Bola, was this a Yahoo Yahoo promise? Or a hasty reply to my production subsidy proposal?” Atiku asked.
He challenged the Federal Government to publish details of the routes covered by the fare reductions, the old and new fares and the number of commuters expected to benefit.
“Show them the routes and the prices. Nigerians cannot board an announcement. Publish routes, the fares, and the number of people benefiting. Show Nigerians a cheaper journey you promised,” he said.
Tinubu had earlier directed the 36 state governors to ensure that Nigerians began to see measurable reductions in transportation fares from October 1, as the Federal Government accelerated the deployment of compressed natural gas and electric-powered public transport.
The president gave the directive while outlining progress under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, saying the initiative was necessary amid pressure on petrol and diesel prices and disruptions to global energy supplies.
According to Tinubu, he met with the governors on August 27, where they agreed to work towards reducing transportation costs across the country.
An implementation committee was subsequently constituted under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the NGF Chairman.
Tinubu said the committee, working with PI-CNG, electric vehicle stakeholders, state governments and other partners, was identifying priority transport corridors and determining the interventions needed to meet the October 1 target.
The president also pointed to existing CNG and electric-powered transport programmes in some states, saying they demonstrated the potential of alternative energy to reduce transportation costs.
Atiku, however, used his Independence Day message to restate his own economic proposals, saying an ADC administration would focus on reducing the cost of living.
“Working with my running mate and our partners in the African Democratic Congress, I will pursue a clear purpose: make life affordable again,” he said.
He proposed a capped and budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including modular refineries, while excluding imported petrol from the scheme.
Atiku also pledged that the proposed subsidy system would be publicly documented and independently audited, with the benefits passed to consumers through lower pump prices.
He further raised concerns about Nigeria’s public debt, citing a figure of N166.79 trillion at the end of June, and called for greater disclosure before additional borrowing.
“Before borrowing another dollar in the people’s name, government must name the projects, show what they cost, and say who benefited and who was paid,” he said.
Atiku said an ADC administration would place affordability and protection of lives at the centre of government, with measures aimed at reducing the costs of food, fuel and power while improving access to healthcare and education.
He also pledged to respect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission and support the prompt publication of results from polling units.
