Wike Labels Atiku ‘Voodoo Economist’ Over Fuel Subsidy U-Turn Ahead of 2027

The 2027 presidential race has sparked a fresh clash over petrol subsidy as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attacked African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over his position on fuel subsidy removal.

Wike dismissed Atiku as a serious contender for the presidency and described the former vice president as a “voodoo economist” while questioning his decision to oppose subsidy removal after previously supporting the policy.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Wike said the 2027 election was effectively settled in favour of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the opposition lacked the strength needed to challenge the ruling party.

“I disagree that Atiku is one of the leading presidential candidates. We have only one leading candidate, and that is Bola Tinubu,” Wike said.

His comments followed Atiku’s recent declaration that he would not remove petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. During a Facebook Live session, the ADC candidate said the previous subsidy regime had been riddled with fraud and challenged the government to disclose how much had been saved since its removal and how the funds were spent.

Wike, however, questioned the consistency of Atiku’s position, recalling that the former vice president had indicated in 2022 that he would remove the subsidy. He argued that Atiku’s latest stance raised questions about whether he now intended to restore what he had previously criticised as fraudulent.

“Atiku, who is a voodoo economist, will say anything just to be president,” Wike said. “This was a man who was going to remove the fuel subsidy in 2022. Now, in 2026, he is not going to remove the fuel subsidy.”

The dispute places petrol pricing and subsidy policy among the major economic issues likely to shape Nigeria’s 2027 presidential contest, with Atiku arguing for a different approach and the Tinubu administration defending the reforms introduced since 2023.