Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to restoring fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Atiku said his position on subsidy removal had not changed, arguing that Nigeria, given its resources, should not abandon citizens to economic hardship.
He stated this in a statement posted on his X platform on Tuesday, following a meeting with the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja.
“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!” Atiku said.
He argued that the strength of an economy should be measured not only by government revenue but also by the purchasing power of 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.
According to him, his proposed economic policies would focus on restoring the value of wages, reducing transportation costs for farmers, making food more affordable and creating an environment where businesses can produce, employ and prosper.
He said his administration would introduce what he described as a targeted subsidy aimed at restoring purchasing power while avoiding the alleged importation-related abuses associated with the previous subsidy regime.
“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku linked rising fuel prices to increases in transportation and food costs, saying the chain had contributed significantly to the hardship experienced by Nigerians.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.
He said he would seek to break what he described as a cycle of rising costs under 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 also promised to support local production, reduce energy costs and improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.
“I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.
Atiku said his commitment to restoring subsidy was part of a broader economic and security agenda aimed at making daily life more affordable for Nigerians.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people,” he said.
He added that his vision was to achieve “economic security, physical security and a better life for every Nigerian.” “That is the Nigeria I intend to build,” Atiku said.
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