Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Tinubu for turning down a reinstatement of the petrol subsidy, TheCable reports. In a comment carried by the outlet, Atiku described the President as "the Egypt Nigerians want to escape," a reference to the biblical story of the Israelites leaving Egypt.
The remark was reported on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. TheCable's account centres on Atiku's objection to the President's position on fuel subsidies, which the report frames as a rejection of bringing the subsidy back.
The comment is the latest in a series of opposition attacks on the Tinubu administration as the 2027 election approaches. Vanguard reported separately on Atiku's "Egypt" remark. Other outlets carried related criticism: Daily Post Nigeria reported that Adebayo said Nigerians are tired of what he called Tinubu's failed government, while The Guardian Nigeria reported that the Makinde campaign alleged Nigeria is on the verge of collapse under the President. Businessday NG reported that the ADC described as an insult a plan by Tinubu to campaign in only 12 states.
These reports come from opposition figures and campaign groups, and the material available does not include a response from the presidency or from Tinubu's campaign.
What to watch next: whether the presidency responds to Atiku's remark, and how the subsidy debate develops as campaigning for 2027 gathers pace.
