The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has clarified his position on fuel subsidy following a statement by one of his media aides, Paul Ibe.
DAILY POST reports that Ibe had, while appearing on AIT on Tuesday, told Nigerians that Atiku would not return Nigeria to the previous subsidy regime if elected president.
According to Ibe, the proposed return of the fuel subsidy would be temporary, stating that if elected in 2027, Atiku would phase out the subsidy.
Ibe explained that the proposal would instead involve leveraging Nigeria’s crude oil resources to support domestic refining and reduce the cost of petroleum products.
“We are not returning to Egypt. We are not going back to the old regime that was opaque,” Ibe said.
However, speaking during a meeting with stakeholders hours after the interview, Atiku distanced himself from the statement, saying Ibe did not speak on his behalf.
The former vice president stated that his administration would fully restore fuel subsidy if elected president.
According to Atiku, Nigeria is wealthy enough to provide the necessary support for its citizens through a fuel subsidy.
He also argued that the removal of subsidy had worsened the economic hardship facing Nigerians, pushing more citizens into abject poverty.
Atiku said, “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 the fuel 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. The removal of fuel subsidy has driven more Nigerians into poverty than at any other time in the history of this country.”