Atiku’s Fuel Plan Designed to Make Petrol Affordable, Says ADC Chieftain, Okonkwo

Chukwuemeka Kenneth Okonkwo, a spokesman for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's 2027 presidential campaign representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has defended his candidate's proposal to restore petrol subsidy. Atiku's plan, known as the Atiku Fuel Affordability Plan (AFAP), aims to make petrol more affordable for Nigerians rather than revive the old subsidy regime, according to Okonkwo.

Okonkwo clarified that President Bola Tinubu's understanding of Atiku's proposal was flawed, describing it as a distinct approach to fuel affordability. The ADC candidate's plan does not involve a return to the controversial subsidy system that heavily relied on imported petrol, Okonkwo emphasized during an appearance on Channels Television.

Atiku had announced his intention to restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, a move that Tinubu criticized as a sign of "serious ignorance of governance and economy," claiming it would impose a significant financial burden on the nation. However, Okonkwo dismissed Tinubu's criticism, stating that Atiku's proposal was fundamentally different from the previous system.

According to Okonkwo, the plan would utilize Nigeria's increasing domestic refining capacity by ensuring local refineries have access to crude oil at fair prices. By supplying affordable crude to refineries, Atiku's plan would lower production costs, leading to reduced petrol prices for consumers. Okonkwo attributed Nigeria's dependence on imported fuel to the old subsidy regime, which he argued fostered manipulation of import volumes and subsidy payments.

He emphasized that Atiku's plan would not repeat this pattern, affirming that he is not returning to the old system.