2027: I’ll return fuel subsidy if elected President – Atiku

Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has declared his intention to reinstate the fuel subsidy regime if elected president of Nigeria in 2027. Atiku criticized the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023, stating that it has not yielded any benefits for the country.

The decision to remove the subsidy caused immediate economic difficulties for citizens, with prices of goods and services skyrocketing to record levels. However, the current administration claims that it has subsequently increased monthly allocations to states and embarked on various infrastructure projects. Despite previously supporting the removal of the fuel subsidy, Atiku argues that it has not benefited the general populace.

"I never opposed the removal of the fuel subsidy initially. 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 questioned in a social media interview. "If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria's subsidy funds must return the money," he added.

Atiku aims to defeat the incumbent president and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, as well as his former vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who is running on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.