Idiake, Coordinator, Relax, Tinubu's Fixing Nigeria Lashes Atiku Over Fuel Subsidy, Says He's Desperate, Playing to the Gallery

Idiake

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

The coordinator of a group, Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria, Deacon Patrick Idiake has lashed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) over his promise to bring back fuel subsidy if he wins next year election.

Deacon Idiake, the chairman of Edo State Audit Commission, who spoke in Benin City said that Alhaji Abubakar campaign promise, which he insisted is not practicable is not due to his love for  the masses but desperation and a cunny attempt to hoodwink some gullible Nigerians.

Having run in every election since 1993, he said that the former vice president in his desperation for the presidency will readily promise Nigerians anything, no matter how unrealistic.

The Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area born top All Progressives Congress (APC) politician accused the ADC presidential candidate of playing to the gallery.

'Atiku is two faced  and a spent force who has nothing to offer Nigerians. He should go on permanent retirement from politics," he advised.

Deacon Idiake recalled that during the campaigns for the 2023 presidential election, the ex-vice president, along with then Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu of the APC all agreed that fuel subsidy should be removed, only for a two faced Alhaji Abubakar to turn around and criticize the removal.

He added: "Desperation will make a man become something else. Atiku cannot be approbating and reprobating. Recalled that three of the presidential aspirants in 2023: Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, Peter Obi, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu all agreed that fuel subsidy should be removed. They all agreed then that it was good to remove fuel subsidy. But out of desperation, Atiku is now saying, he'll bring back subsidy. Does he have the interest of the country at heart, or wants to destroy the economy? These are the questions begging for answers.

"I see Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a desperado; he's desperate for power but I am very sure that enlightened Nigerians will not listen to that. His new stand on fuel subsidy will even de-market him. When I heard that from him, I saw somebody that is not consistent. I saw someone that is very desperate, just like I see Peter Obi as very desperate too.

"Peter Obi was originally in APGA and then crossed over to the PDP. He later moved to Labour Party and then quit membership to ADC. Now, he's in NDC. So, come on! You can see somebody that is desperate for power. If he is so popular, why didn't he just remain in Labor Party and fix it?"

Deacon Idiake however conceded that times may be hard for the ordinary Nigerian due to the effects of the hike in pump price of fuel but quickly added that allocation to local and state governments from the federation account has increased tremendously as result of the move.

The coordinator said that several governors from the opposition parties joined the APC because of their strong conviction that President Tinubu is piloting the affairs of the country in the right direction.

He lashed other presidential aspirants, including Alhaji Abubakar and Peter Obi, noting that they don't have structures and are permanently in court for one litigation or the other, constantly fighting and fussing like children due to internal wranglings.

He queried: "Is that the kind of party that is ready to rule? The rank of APC has continued to swell. APC as a party has been very consistent. There is no threat of implosion unlike the other parties, where the different feuding factions are tearing themselves apart over one thing or the other."

Deacon Idiake commended President Tinubu for being able to stabilize the exchange rate, curtail endemic strikes, increase foreign reserve to a record high of $52 billion, fixing critical infrastructure and growing the economy, which is projected to hit 4.2% this year.

Against the backdrop of these solid achievements by President Tinubu, couple with that of Governor Monday Okpebholo in Edo State, the APC politician predicted a landslide victory for the ruling party in Edo State and Nigeria in the 2027 general elections. 

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