Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his intention to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, distancing himself from comments by his media aide, Paul Ibe, suggesting the policy would eventually be phased out.
Atiku clarified his position on Tuesday while receiving the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja, following an interview in which Ibe said Atiku would restore petrol subsidy but gradually withdraw the intervention once the economy recovered.
The former vice president said Ibe was not speaking on his behalf and insisted that his position on the issue remained unchanged.
“Earlier, one of my press aides contradicted me in a policy statement as far as subsidy is concerned,” Atiku said.
“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.”
In a subsequent statement on X, Atiku provided further details of his proposed policy, saying the purpose of a targeted subsidy would be to shield Nigerians from the effects of rising fuel, transport and food costs.
He argued that the strength of an economy should not be judged solely by government revenue, but also by the purchasing power available to ordinary 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 Atiku, restoring purchasing power would require making wages more valuable, helping farmers transport their produce without excessive costs and creating conditions for businesses to expand and employ more workers.
He linked petrol prices directly to the rising cost of living, arguing that increases in fuel prices translate into higher transportation expenses, which in turn push up the cost of food and other essential commodities.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.
Atiku said his proposed intervention would therefore be designed to provide relief to consumers while supporting domestic production.
“I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.
The ADC candidate also promised to pursue policies aimed at reducing energy costs and strengthening local production, while improving the economic and physical security of Nigerians. He criticised the economic trajectory under President Bola Tinubu, saying his proposed policies would seek to reverse what he described as a prolonged cycle of rising living costs.
“I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency,” Atiku said.
He maintained that his broader economic agenda would focus on making essential goods more affordable and increasing the purchasing power of Nigerians.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people,” he said.
Atiku added that his vision was centred on economic security, physical security and improved living standards for Nigerians.
