Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has vowed to restore Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected President in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday (partly in Hausa), Atiku said he initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy but has since changed his position because Nigerians have not seen the promised benefits. He questioned the whereabouts of the funds generated from the policy.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” Atiku asked.
He continued: “If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.”
President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the scheme as unsustainable. The Federal Government has stated that the removal of the subsidy and related forex reforms generated N15.8 trillion in resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
Atiku argued that the policy could have been justified if the savings had been transparently channelled into development priorities such as poverty reduction, education, security, and youth empowerment. He added that a future government under his leadership could, with proper management and accountability, again consider subsidy reform and apply the proceeds more effectively.
The pledge places the restoration of the petrol subsidy among the major economic issues in the emerging 2027 presidential campaign.