Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has forcefully reaffirmed his commitment to restoring a targeted fuel subsidy if elected in 2027.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving the Osun State leadership of the party, Atiku insisted that his stance on the policy remains entirely unchanged and absolute.
The clarification follows recent remarks by one of his media aides, Paul Ibe, which suggested that the proposed intervention would eventually be phased out.
Addressing the contradiction directly, the former vice-president stated that Ibe’s comments did not represent his official position, emphasizing that policy decisions rest solely with him as the candidate.
“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,” Atiku declared.
He clarified that his proposed intervention is designed to ease the crushing pressure of rising fuel, transport, and food costs, rather than blindly reviving the old, corruption-plagued system of subsidizing imported petrol.
Detailing the mechanics of his proposal, Atiku explained that his administration would prioritize supporting domestic production, lowering energy costs, and boosting citizens’ purchasing power.
According to the former vice-president, lower fuel expenses will naturally cascade into reduced transportation costs and lower prices for essential goods in the market, putting wealth back into the pockets of everyday Nigerians.
Expanding on the framework, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, noted that the initiative would be transparently budgeted, capped, and independently audited.
Shaibu explained that the policy would channel support toward domestic refining and would be withdrawn progressively only as local refining capacity expands and fuel supply genuinely stabilizes.
The debate over petrol subsidy has remained a central political flashpoint since President Bola Tinubu removed the regime during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, triggering a severe spike in inflation and living costs.
While Atiku continues to position his targeted relief model as a necessary economic cushion, political observers expect the energy debate to intensify as the road to the 2027 general elections gathers momentum.
