African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, saying the policy would ease the financial pressure on Nigerians and make fuel more affordable.
The former Vice-President restated his position in a post on X on Monday, accompanied by a campaign video outlining his proposed subsidy arrangement.
“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” Atiku wrote.
In the campaign video, a female narrator drew attention to the rising cost of petrol in Nigeria, which she said had exceeded ₦1,300 per litre, comparing the price with lower fuel costs in other oil-producing countries, including Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The video explained that Atiku’s proposed subsidy would apply only to petrol refined locally, rather than imported products.
It added that government support would be provided to sustain domestic refining until the industry became capable of operating without such assistance.
Atiku also appeared in the video to reaffirm his commitment to the proposal.
“My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it.”
The renewed pledge comes amid continuing debate over the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2023.
Tinubu announced the decision during his inauguration, arguing that the government could no longer sustain the rising cost of the subsidy and that the savings would be channelled into infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
Atiku has consistently criticised the economic consequences of the policy, making its reversal a key part of his campaign promises ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
At the ADC presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto on November 4, the former Vice-President also promised to restore petrol subsidy, reopen the country’s land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity if elected.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential election, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6.
Atiku secured the ADC presidential ticket in May for his seventh attempt at the presidency.
However, his emergence as the party’s candidate suffered a legal setback on November 5, when a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified his nomination alongside decisions taken by the party’s David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC has appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution.
