The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has suggested that the 2027 presidential election may represent the final opportunity for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest for Nigeria’s highest office.
Bwala made the remark while reacting to Atiku’s promise to restore fuel subsidies if elected president in 2027.
President Tinubu had removed the controversial fuel subsidy regime during his inauguration in May 2023, a move that sparked both praise and criticism across the country.
Atiku, who is expected to fly the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the next election, has pledged to reinstate the subsidy policy, arguing that it would provide relief to Nigerians facing economic hardship.
Commenting on the proposal, Bwala alleged that Atiku’s position was driven by political calculations, suggesting that the former vice president viewed the 2027 election as a final opportunity to secure the presidency.
In a post on his X account, Bwala stated: “Since 2027 is likely to be his last chance to seek the office of the president, he decided to gamble on the populist rhetoric of ‘I will bring back the fuel subsidy.’ He presumed that, after all, there is nothing to lose.
“The only problem is that, to run a populist campaign, you must first ensure that you are popular with the people.”
Atiku’s promise to restore fuel subsidies has continued to generate debate among Nigerians, with supporters arguing it would ease economic pressures, while critics maintain that subsidy payments place a heavy burden on government finances.
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