Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Tinubu for comparing Nigeria’s fuel prices with those of Kenya, arguing that Nigerians face harsher economic realities despite lower petrol costs.
Mr Abubakar made his position known in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, in response to the President’s remarks during a visit to Bayelsa State.
President Tinubu had urged Nigerians to be appreciative that petrol prices remain lower than in countries such as Kenya, while acknowledging the economic hardship and promising relief measures for vulnerable citizens.
However, the former vice president described the comparison as misleading, stating that it fails to reflect broader economic indicators.
“It is both curious and troubling that the President would isolate fuel prices as a metric of economic comfort while ignoring far more critical indicators such as purchasing power, income levels, and cost of living,” he said.
Economic realities
Mr Abubakar argued that while fuel may be cheaper in Nigeria compared to countries like Kenya and South Africa, the overall cost of living in Nigeria remains significantly higher when measured against income levels.
According to him, the comparison becomes invalid when placed alongside the declining earning power of Nigerians.
The former vice president highlighted disparities in earnings, noting that Kenya’s GDP per capital is nearly double that of Nigeria.
He added that a minimum wage earner in Nairobi earns the equivalent of about ₦170,000, compared to roughly ₦70,000 in Nigeria.
“In effect, while a Kenyan earns more and pays more, a Nigerian earns far less and is forced to survive under crushing economic pressure,” he stated.
Affordability concerns
Mr Abubakar stressed that affordability should be assessed based on the relationship between income and expenditure, not just price comparisons.
“The implication is clear: affordability is not defined by price alone, but by the relationship between income and expenditure. On this measure, Nigerians have never had it worse,” he said.
He also criticised Nigeria’s wage structure, arguing that it does not adequately reflect economic realities or regional disparities.
Call for leadership
The former vice president warned that reliance on selective comparisons risks portraying the government as disconnected from citizens’ struggles.
“It is deeply disappointing that at a time when citizens expect empathy and decisive leadership, the President has chosen the path of statistical convenience,” he added.
The exchange highlights ongoing debates over Nigeria’s economic policies, cost of living, and income disparities, as citizens continue to grapple with inflation and declining purchasing power.
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