African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore fuel subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidential election. The former Vice President said the removal of the subsidy under President Bola Tinubu had not delivered enough benefits to Nigerians. Atiku also demanded an account of the money saved since the subsidy was removed.
Atiku Questions Fuel Subsidy Savings
Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. He described the subsidy regime as unsustainable. Atiku said he initially supported the removal. However, he said events since then had changed his position.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?” Atiku said during a social media interview.
He also questioned whether the savings had improved key sectors of the economy.
“Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he asked.
Atiku Promises to Restore Subsidy
Atiku said he would reverse the policy if elected president in 2027.
“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he said.
His position puts fuel subsidy among the major economic issues expected to shape the 2027 presidential campaign. The Tinubu administration has continued to defend the subsidy removal. The government says the old system placed a heavy burden on public finances. The administration has also pointed to higher allocations to states, infrastructure spending and increased government revenue as gains from its economic reforms.Atiku, however, has continued to demand greater transparency over the savings from subsidy removal.
The former Vice President will contest the 2027 presidential election under the ADC against Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and other candidates
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