Atiku Pledges To Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected In 2027
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday, questioning how the funds reportedly saved from the removal of the subsidy have been managed.
He argued that the subsidy removal could have benefited Nigerians if the savings had been transparently accounted for and invested in poverty reduction, education, security and youth development.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku reportedly said in Hausa.
He added that his administration would restore the subsidy and ensure that anyone found to have misappropriated public funds was held accountable.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.
Atiku, however, indicated that his position could change if the funds generated from subsidy removal were properly managed and used to address Nigeria’s development challenges.
“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went. If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, shortly after assuming office, as part of his administration’s economic reform programme.
The policy has remained a major political and economic issue, with its impact on petrol prices, transportation costs, inflation and household incomes continuing to generate debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday, questioning how the funds reportedly saved from the removal of the subsidy have been managed.
He argued that the subsidy removal could have benefited Nigerians if the savings had been transparently accounted for and invested in poverty reduction, education, security and youth development.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku reportedly said in Hausa.
He added that his administration would restore the subsidy and ensure that anyone found to have misappropriated public funds was held accountable.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.
Atiku, however, indicated that his position could change if the funds generated from subsidy removal were properly managed and used to address Nigeria’s development challenges.
“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went. If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, shortly after assuming office, as part of his administration’s economic reform programme.
The policy has remained a major political and economic issue, with its impact on petrol prices, transportation costs, inflation and household incomes continuing to generate debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
