Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, saying the move would reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), restated the pledge in a post on his X account on Monday, alongside a campaign video outlining his proposed subsidy policy.
He said his position on the issue remained unchanged, arguing that government support for petrol prices would make fuel more affordable for citizens.
The campaign video highlighted petrol prices in Nigeria, which it said had exceeded N1,300 per litre, and compared them with cheaper fuel prices in other oil-producing countries, including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
It explained that Atiku’s proposed subsidy would apply specifically to petrol produced by local refineries rather than imported fuel. The arrangement, according to the video, would remain in place until domestic refining could operate independently without government support.
The pledge comes more than three years after President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration in May 2023.
The Tinubu administration defended the decision on the grounds that the rising cost of maintaining the subsidy had become unsustainable, promising to redirect the savings towards infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
However, the policy has remained a major subject of public debate, particularly over its impact on fuel prices and the cost of living.
Atiku has consistently criticised the removal and made subsidy restoration a central part of his economic promises ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
At the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, he also pledged to reopen Nigeria’s land borders for legitimate trade and address the country’s security challenges if elected.
The former vice-president secured the ADC presidential ticket in May, marking his seventh attempt at becoming Nigeria’s president.
However, his nomination was challenged after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified it on November 5, alongside decisions taken by the party’s David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC has since appealed the ruling and sought a stay of execution.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the 2027 presidential election for January 16, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6.
