Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to restore Nigeria’s fuel subsidy regime if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku criticised the removal of the subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the policy has failed to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
President Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration speech in May 2023, a decision that triggered a sharp increase in fuel prices and contributed to rising costs of goods and services across the country.
While the Federal Government has maintained that the subsidy removal has freed up resources, increased allocations to state governments and enabled investment in infrastructure, Atiku said Nigerians have yet to see sufficient benefits from the policy.
Speaking in a social media interview, the former vice president questioned how the savings from the subsidy removal had been utilised.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?”
Atiku further pledged to reinstate the subsidy if elected, while promising to recover funds allegedly stolen under the subsidy regime.
“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.
Atiku is seeking to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, while also facing competition from Peter Obi, who is expected to contest the presidency under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
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