The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reaffirmed his promise to bring back the petrol subsidy if he is elected president in 2027, stating that the policy would make life simpler and more affordable for Nigerians.
Atiku repeated his stance in a Monday post on X, which included a campaign video outlining his proposed strategy for the petrol subsidy.
“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” the former vice president wrote.
In the video, a female narrator stated that petrol was being sold for over ₦1,300 per liter in Nigeria and contended that citizens of other crude oil-producing nations, such as Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, benefited from cheaper fuel.
The narrator explained that Atiku’s proposed intervention would be confined to backing petrol produced by local refineries rather than imported products.
The video also cited Atiku as saying, “My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it.”
It further noted that the proposed plan would back domestic refining until the industry could function without government support.
Atiku’s most recent statement emerges against the backdrop of the ongoing debate over President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023.
Tinubu unveiled the policy at his inauguration, stating that the government could no longer bear the escalating cost of the subsidy and would channel the savings into infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation.
2027: Tinubu rules out fuel subsidy return, promises prosperity
Fuel subsidy return could push dollar to N4,000, Oyedele warns
Atiku has consistently condemned the effects of the policy and included its restoration among his campaign pledges for 2027.
Speaking at the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, he promised to bring back fuel subsidies, reopen the nation’s land borders to legitimate trade, and address insecurity if he is elected.
The 2027 presidential election is set for January 16, while the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed February 6 for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
Atiku clinched the ADC presidential ticket in May, marking his seventh attempt at the presidency.
Nevertheless, a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5 annulled his nomination, along with decisions made by the party’s David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC has filed an appeal against the ruling and sought a stay of execution.
