2027: Atiku Reaffirms Plan to Restore Petrol Subsidy, Disowns Aide’s Position
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, distancing himself from comments by his media aide, Paul Ibe, suggesting that the policy would eventually be phased out.
Atiku said his position on subsidy had not changed, insisting that Nigeria had sufficient resources to cushion the impact of rising living costs on its citizens.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the Osun State leadership of the ADC.
The former vice president was responding to comments by Ibe during an interview with African Independent Television, where the aide said Atiku would restore petrol subsidy if elected but gradually phase out the intervention once the economy recovered.
Atiku said Ibe was not authorised to speak on his behalf on the matter.
“Earlier, one of my press aides contradicted me in a policy statement as far as subsidy is concerned.
“I want to repeat categorically that when I said I would return to subsidy, I will. Nigeria is rich enough to look after the welfare of its citizens. Let it be clearly stated that he was not speaking on my own authority,” Atiku said.
In a statement posted on his X account, the ADC presidential candidate further clarified that his proposed subsidy would be targeted at cushioning the effects of rising petrol, transportation and food prices on Nigerians.
“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it,” he said.
Atiku argued that the prosperity of a country should not be measured solely by government revenue, but by the purchasing power of its citizens.
“I believe the wealth of a nation is not measured by how much government collects, but by how much the money in the pockets of its people can buy,” he said.
He said his administration would seek to improve the real value of workers’ wages and ensure that farmers could transport their produce without excessive transportation costs eroding their profits.
He also pledged to support businesses to increase production, create jobs and expand operations, while making food and other essential commodities more affordable.
“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku linked the increase in petrol prices to rising transportation and food costs, saying the development had intensified economic pressure on households.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.
He promised to reverse what he described as a cycle of rising costs that had characterised nearly four years of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency,” Atiku said.
The ADC candidate said his economic agenda would focus on boosting domestic production, lowering energy costs and restoring Nigerians’ purchasing power.
“I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.
Atiku also said his broader policy agenda would prioritise economic and physical security, alongside improved living standards for Nigerians.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people.
“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian. That is the Nigeria I intend to build,” he said.
