Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected President of Nigeria in 2027, saying the proposed policy would ease the financial burden on Nigerians and make fuel more affordable.
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) restated his position in a post on X on Monday, accompanied by a campaign video explaining how his proposed subsidy arrangement would work.
“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” Atiku wrote.
In the campaign video, a female narrator highlighted the rising cost of petrol in Nigeria, claiming that the price had exceeded ₦1,300 per litre. The video compared Nigeria’s petrol prices with those in other crude oil-producing countries, including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
However, Atiku’s proposed approach appears to differ from the previous petrol subsidy arrangement, as it would focus on supporting locally refined petroleum products rather than imported fuel.
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According to the campaign video, government assistance would be directed towards petrol produced by domestic refineries, with the objective of sustaining local refining and making production more affordable until the industry becomes capable of operating without government support.
Atiku also reaffirmed his commitment in the video, declaring: “My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it.”
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Atiku Renews Criticism of Subsidy Removal
The renewed pledge comes amid continued national debate over the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023.
Tinubu announced the policy during his inauguration, arguing that the government could no longer sustain the rising financial cost of subsidising petrol.
The administration maintained that resources saved from subsidy removal would be redirected towards critical sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
However, the policy has remained a major point of disagreement among political stakeholders, particularly over its impact on transportation costs, food prices, household spending and the overall cost of living.
Atiku has consistently criticised the economic consequences of the removal and has made the restoration of petrol subsidy, through a proposed domestic production support system, a key component of his 2027 presidential campaign.
The ADC has described the proposal as a production subsidy rather than a return to subsidising imported petroleum products.
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Atiku Makes More Campaign Promises
At the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, Atiku again promised to restore petrol subsidy if elected.
He also pledged to reopen Nigeria’s land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity across the country.
The former Vice-President’s campaign has increasingly focused on addressing the economic challenges facing Nigerians, with fuel affordability, national security and employment creation featuring prominently in his public engagements.
Legal Challenge to Atiku’s ADC Candidacy
Meanwhile, Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition has encountered a legal challenge following a November 5 judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court nullified the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress under former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by the party’s leadership, including Atiku’s emergence as its presidential candidate.
The judgment followed a legal challenge to the process through which the party’s leadership was constituted.
The ADC has rejected the ruling and appealed the decision, while also applying for a stay of execution.
Atiku secured the party’s presidential ticket in May, marking his seventh bid for Nigeria’s highest political office.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
As the countdown to the next general election continues, Atiku’s proposed return to petrol subsidy is expected to remain a significant issue in the debate over Nigeria’s economic direction and the future of its petroleum sector.
