Former Vice-President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected President, saying Nigerians should not bear the full burden of rising fuel costs.
Atiku stated this on Tuesday in Abuja after receiving the Osun State leadership of the ADC, maintaining that his position on petrol subsidy had not changed.
“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!” he said.
The former vice-president argued that the strength of an economy should not be measured solely by government revenue, but 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,” Atiku said.
He said his priority would be to restore the purchasing power of Nigerians and ensure that wages provide greater value amid rising living costs.
Atiku also promised to support farmers and businesses by reducing transportation and energy costs.
“I want wages to have value again. I want farmers to move produce without transport swallowing their profits,” he said.
“I want families to fill their baskets without emptying their pockets. I want businesses to produce, employ and prosper.”
‘I will not restore the import racket.’
Atiku said his proposed subsidy would be targeted at providing relief to Nigerians rather than restoring what he described as an “import racket.”
“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians,” he said.
He linked increases in petrol prices to higher transportation and food costs, saying the impact ultimately affects households.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate also promised 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,” he said.
Atiku further pledged to promote local production, reduce energy costs and strengthen economic security.
“I will support Nigerian production, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.
He said his proposed policies were aimed at improving the affordability of daily life and strengthening the economic security of Nigerians.
