Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race or risk defeat at the polls.

Atiku also demanded an apology from Tinubu over the President’s criticism of his proposal for a production-linked fuel subsidy.

He said the recent call by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, for government support to domestic refiners had vindicated his position that targeted support for local refining could help reduce petrol prices.

Atiku argued that his proposal was different from the former import-based subsidy regime, saying it would strengthen domestic refining and make petrol more affordable for Nigerians.

He criticised the Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidy, saying the policy had increased the cost of transportation, food production and other essential goods.

Atiku said the government should focus on how much Nigerians had to work to afford petrol rather than comparing fuel prices with those in richer countries.

He called on IPMAN, refiners, regulators and other stakeholders to work towards a transparent energy-support system ahead of 2027.

Atiku said Tinubu had chosen hardship and called it reform, adding that Nigerians would have the opportunity to reject the President at the polls if he remained in the race.