Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has restated his commitment to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing the policy would reduce the cost of living for Nigerians. In a statement on social media on Monday, the former Vice-President said the move would make life easier and more affordable for citizens. According to a campaign video released alongside his statement, petrol was selling for more than ₦1,300 per litre in Nigeria, and the narrator pointed to cheaper fuel prices in other crude oil-producing nations including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Atiku's proposed subsidy arrangement would focus on supporting petrol from local refineries rather than imported fuel, according to the campaign material. The video quoted him saying his position on the issue remained unchanged and would not shift. The plan would support domestic refining capacity until the industry could operate independently without government backing, the campaign said. This latest pledge comes as Atiku continues to make the restoration of fuel subsidy a centrepiece of his 2027 campaign strategy.
The push for subsidy restoration reflects ongoing criticism of President Bola Tinubu's decision to remove the fuel subsidy in May 2023. Tinubu announced the removal during his inauguration, stating that the government could no longer afford the rising cost of subsidies and would use the savings for infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation. Atiku has been a vocal critic of the policy's impact and made its reversal a key campaign promise. He reiterated this commitment at the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, alongside pledges to reopen land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity.
The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, with the Independent National Electoral Commission setting February 6 for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket in May for his seventh bid for the presidency. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5 nullified his nomination along with decisions by the party's leadership. The ADC has since appealed the judgment and requested a stay of execution.