Fact-Check: Wike’s Remarks on Fuel Subsidy Were Directed at Atiku, Not Tinubu
Claim An X user, @Big_Sinudo, shared a post alleging that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike expressed anger at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly bringing back fuel subsidy through the backdoor....
Claim
An X user, @Big_Sinudo, shared a post alleging that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike expressed anger at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly bringing back fuel subsidy through the backdoor.
Verdict: Misleading
Background Story
On October 8, 2026, the Federal Government announced a 30-day discount on petrol sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The measure was introduced as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices amid global disruptions.
The announcement generated mixed reactions. Opposition figures criticised the intervention as inadequate and politically motivated, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenged opposition parties to present alternative solutions, arguing that public welfare should take precedence over political considerations.
Amid the debate, an X user, @Big_Sinudo, shared a video of Nyesom Wike addressing journalists, claiming that the FCT minister was angry with Tinubu for allegedly reintroducing fuel subsidy through the backdoor. See the screenshot of the post below:
The post attracted significant attention, recording more than 102,000 views and several engagements at the time of this investigation.
@EgboGideon_ wondered if Wike was challenging the directive of the president!
@olaoluakorede accused Wike of sabotage, criticising the government, which he is working for.
However, @Priesst0 countered the claim in the video, saying it was out since August and it was a response to Atiku.
@Kcthebaron also said, “This clip was made in August 20, 2026, and he was criticising Atiku on fuel subsidy inconsistency.”
NDRFactCheck investigated the viral claim to establish the context of Wike’s remarks.
Wike, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election despite belonging to an opposition party. His position followed his leadership of the G5, also known as the Integrity Group, which opposed the PDP’s presidential campaign under Atiku Abubakar. Wike currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Tinubu administration.
Verification
NDRFactCheck searched for credible media reports confirming that Wike had expressed anger at Tinubu over the alleged return of fuel subsidy but found no report establishing this interpretation.
A reverse-image search and further examination of the video led to the original footage published on YouTube.
An examination of the footage showed that Wike was responding to an earlier press briefing by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, concerning fuel subsidy removal and the cost of petroleum products under Tinubu’s administration.
In September 2026, Atiku had proposed an alternative approach to addressing the rising cost of living, stating that he would “replace Tinubu’s policy of punishment with a policy of production, protection, and affordability.”
In a video published by TVC News, Atiku explained how high transportation costs affect food prices, agricultural production, traders, workers, and businesses, ultimately placing a greater financial burden on Nigerian households.
Wike’s remarks were directed at Atiku’s proposed approach to fuel subsidy. He criticised the former vice president for previously supporting fuel subsidy removal and subsequently advocating an alternative arrangement involving support for local refining.
Wike questioned Atiku’s consistency and accused him of changing his position for political reasons.
The criticism was therefore part of a political exchange between Wike and Atiku over fuel policy, rather than an expression of anger at Tinubu over the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount.
Similarly, the APC in Lagos State criticised Atiku’s proposal, questioning its legal and fiscal basis under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Atiku, in turn, criticised Tinubu, describing the president as a “dull student” over what he characterised as the adoption of his proposal on fuel subsidy funding.
These exchanges demonstrate that the video circulated online emerged from a broader political debate over fuel subsidy policy and the positions taken by the political actors involved.
In summary, NDRFactCheck’s investigation found that the viral video was taken out of context. Wike’s remarks concerned Atiku Abubakar’s proposed approach to fuel subsidy, not an expression of anger at President Tinubu for allegedly restoring fuel subsidy through the backdoor.
Although the federal government announced a 30-day petrol discount on October 8, 2026, the video does not establish that Wike was reacting to that announcement.
The claim is therefore misleading because it misrepresents the subject and context of Wike’s remarks.
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