Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the policy would ease hardship and make life more affordable for Nigerians.
The former Vice-President restated his position on Monday in a post on X, accompanied by a campaign video outlining his proposed approach to the subsidy question.
“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” he wrote.
What the Campaign Video Says
In the video, a female narrator noted that petrol sells for more than ₦1,300 per litre in Nigeria, and argued that citizens of other crude oil-producing countries — including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia — enjoy cheaper fuel.
The narrator explained that Atiku’s proposed intervention would be limited to supporting petrol produced by local refineries rather than imported products. The video also quoted Atiku as saying, “My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it.”
According to the video, the arrangement would support domestic refining until the industry is able to operate without government assistance.
Context of the Debate
Atiku’s latest statement comes amid ongoing debate over the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023. Tinubu announced the policy at his inauguration, saying the government could no longer sustain the rising cost of subsidy and would redirect the savings to infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
Atiku has repeatedly criticised the impact of the policy and made its restoration part of his 2027 campaign promises. At the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, he pledged to restore fuel subsidy, reopen the country’s land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity if elected.
Election Timetable and Legal Challenge
The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, with the Independent National Electoral Commission fixing February 6 for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket in May for his seventh bid for the presidency. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5 nullified his nomination alongside decisions taken by the party’s David Mark-led leadership. The ADC has appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution.
