The Federal Government has addressed leaked fiscal policy documents implying the resumption of petrol subsidy payments.

In a statement on Thursday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the documents as unapproved proposals.

He clarified that these documents are still under review and not official government policies.

He stated, “One document titled Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measure etc) Order 2024 is being circulated as if it were an executive order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The other is a 65-page draft titled Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), which contains economic improvement suggestions. President Tinubu received this draft on Tuesday.”

The public and media are urged to disregard these documents as they are not approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Both are still under review and clearly marked as drafts.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, noted that policymaking involves multiple drafts and discussions before finalization.

“The government reiterates that its stance on fuel subsidy remains unchanged from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration on May 29, 2023. The fuel subsidy regime has ended. There is no N5.4 trillion provisioned for it in 2024,” Edun emphasized.

He added, “The Federal Government is committed to easing the cost of living pressures on Nigerians, focusing on factors like food inflation driven by transport costs. The CNG initiative aims to reduce these costs further.”

On Wednesday, former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar criticized the government for allegedly reinstating fuel subsidies despite claims of abolition.

It was previously reported that the leaked documents suggested a monthly subsidy bill averaging N450 billion.