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The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the policy would reduce the financial burden on Nigerians and make fuel more affordable.
The former Vice-President restated his position in a post on X on Monday, accompanied by a campaign video outlining his proposed approach to petrol subsidy.
“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 high cost of petrol in Nigeria, which she said had exceeded ₦1,300 per litre, contrasting the price with cheaper fuel in other crude oil-producing countries, including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The video explained that Atiku’s proposed subsidy would be restricted to petrol produced by domestic refineries rather than imported products, with government support intended to sustain local refining until the industry could operate without assistance.
It also featured Atiku reaffirming his position, saying: “My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it.”
Atiku’s renewed pledge comes amid continuing 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 cost of subsidy and would redirect the savings towards infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
However, Atiku has repeatedly criticised the economic impact of the policy and made its reversal a major part of his 2027 presidential campaign promises.
At the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, he also pledged to restore petrol subsidy, reopen the country’s land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity if elected.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the 2027 presidential election for January 16, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are fixed for February 6.
Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket in May for his seventh bid for the presidency.
However, his emergence as the party’s candidate suffered a legal setback on November 5 when a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified his nomination alongside decisions taken by the party’s David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC has since appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution.
