Paul Ibe, an aide to presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has slammed President Bola Tinubu for rejecting calls for a return of fuel subsidy.

Last week, the Presidency assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria will not restore the fuel subsidy, which President Tinubu ended on the day he was sworn in.

This was amid plans by Atiku to restore fuel subsidy, a thing he has made a major focal point of his campaign strategy.

However, to solidify his administration's position, Tinubu said going back to fuel subsidy is like asking Moses to return to Egypt.

Addressing the City Boy Movement, he said, “I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and in the Holy Quran. When Moses and Musa left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt.”

Reacting, Atiku's aide slammed Tinubu for mentioning Moses and Musa as if they were separate entities. According to him, the President's statement shows why Atiku advised him to return to school.

Ibe said, "Atiku Abubakar was right when he advised President Bola Tinubu to go back to school. The President has just provided another compelling reason why he should urgently consider that advice!

"Speaking about his refusal to reconsider the removal of petrol subsidy, Tinubu decided to take Nigerians on a journey through the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an

"Haba, Professor Tinubu! Which Moses and which Musa? Were they travelling together? Was Moses leading the Christian delegation while Musa commanded the Muslim contingent? Did they have separate passports at the Egyptian border?

"Mr President, Moses in the Bible is Musa in the Qur’an! Same prophet. Same person. Same journey. Different languages!

"There was no joint expedition by Moses and Musa. There was only one man leading the Israelites out of Egypt!

"And this is the President who says he has been doing deep thinking about Nigeria's economy?

"No wonder Nigerians are confused. A President who has apparently multiplied one prophet into two is now asking Nigerians to believe that multiplying their suffering is the road to prosperity!

"But beyond the scriptural comedy, Nigerians are not asking Tinubu to return to Egypt. They are asking him to rescue them from the economic wilderness into which his policies have driven them.

"They want affordable petrol, cheaper food, lower transportation costs, electricity they can afford and money in their pockets.

"Mr President, Nigerians are not demanding a return to Egypt. They are demanding an escape from the Egypt of economic hardship your administration has created!

"Atiku was right. President Tinubu should go back to school. And perhaps the first lesson should be simple: Moses = Musa. One prophet. Not two!"

ASA