President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the proposal by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to restore fuel subsidy if elected in 2027 as a demonstration of what he called “serious ignorance” of governance and the economy.

Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday while receiving Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following Adeleke’s victory in the August 15, 2026, governorship election.

Reacting to Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy, President Tinubu said he had seen the proposal by one of his political opponents to return to the subsidy regime.

“I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy,” Tinubu said.

The President argued that the subsidy regime had placed significant pressure on government finances, particularly at the state level. He recalled that before he assumed office, 27 states were struggling to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners.

“Before I came here, 27 states are unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners,” Tinubu said.

He further used Osun State as an example, making a reference to the period when workers in the state were placed on reduced salaries amid the state’s financial difficulties.

“I know a man in your state that I raised who is nicknamed ‘half salary’,” the President told Governor Adeleke.

The remark was widely understood as a reference to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who governed Osun State from 2010 to 2018 and is now the National Secretary of the ADC. During Aregbesola’s administration, the state introduced a modulated salary structure amid severe financial pressures, with some categories of workers receiving reduced salaries. Contemporary reports documented salary arrears and the implementation of half-salary arrangements in Osun and several other states.

Aregbesola is currently a leading official of the ADC, the opposition platform under which Atiku Abubakar is seeking the presidency in the 2027 general election.

Tinubu’s comments therefore linked the debate over the proposed return of fuel subsidy to the previous financial difficulties experienced by state governments, including Osun.

The President maintained that government must have sufficient resources to meet its obligations to citizens, including the provision of infrastructure, education, healthcare, roads and other essential services.

His comments came during a broader conversation with Governor Adeleke, whom he congratulated on his re-election. Tinubu urged the governor to use his second-term mandate to promote reconciliation, unity, peace, stability and the rule of law.

He also cautioned Adeleke against treating the election as a victory over political opponents, stressing that winning an election should be followed by reconciliation and inclusive governance.

The President’s remarks have further intensified the emerging debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election over fuel subsidy, fiscal sustainability and how best to cushion the economic burden on Nigerians while ensuring that governments retain sufficient resources to provide essential services.