‘You Met Fuel at ₦195 but Now ₦1,400, Don’t Blame Opposition’ — Reuben Abati Blasts Tinubu
Arise Television anchor, Reuben Abati, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for blaming the opposition for hunger and poverty in Nigeria, urging the President to focus on addressing the rising cost of living.
Abati made the remarks on Monday during The Morning Show on Arise Television, arguing that the current administration should take responsibility for the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been in power since 2015 and that Tinubu was in his fourth year as President, questioning how the opposition could be held responsible for the hardship Nigerians were experiencing in 2026.
The television anchor was reacting to Tinubu’s remarks at the APC campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, where the President accused the opposition of creating hunger and poverty in the country.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created hunger, they created poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” Tinubu had said.
Responding, Abati attributed the economic hardship to government policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and the depreciation of the naira.
He cited the increase in petrol prices from about ₦195 per litre when Tinubu assumed office to between ₦1,400 and ₦1,500 per litre, saying the rise had contributed to higher food prices.
“You met the price of fuel at about ₦195, but now fuel is ₦1,400 to ₦1,500 per litre. That rise has caused food prices to go up. Bag of rice, garri, beans have all increased,” Abati said.
He also compared the price of garri when Tinubu took office with its current cost, stating that a paint bucket that sold for about ₦500 at the time now costs approximately ₦2,500.
Abati urged the President to stop blaming the opposition and concentrate on policies that would ease the economic burden on Nigerians.
He said the government should prioritise measures to reduce the cost of living, noting that citizens were increasingly concerned about the affordability of food and other essential commodities.