Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his promise to bring back petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election, insisting that the policy would help ease the financial pressure on Nigerians.
In a post shared online on Monday, Atiku maintained that his position had not changed, saying he would restore the subsidy to make life more affordable for citizens.
A campaign video accompanying the post highlighted the rising cost of petrol in Nigeria, which it said now exceeds N1,300 per litre. It also compared local fuel prices with those in oil producing countries such as Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where petrol is reportedly sold at lower rates.
According to the campaign message, the proposed subsidy would be limited to petrol produced by local refineries. The arrangement, it explained, would remain in place only until domestic refineries become capable of operating without government support.
President Bola Tinubu ended the petrol subsidy in May 2023 shortly after assuming office, arguing that the government could no longer sustain the cost. He said the money saved would be redirected towards infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
Atiku has consistently criticised the decision, making the restoration of petrol subsidy a major part of his political campaign.
During the African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign launch in Sokoto on November 4, he also pledged to reopen Nigeria’s land borders for legitimate commercial activities and take stronger action against insecurity.
However, questions have emerged over his 2027 presidential ambition following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja on November 5, which nullified his nomination.
The ADC has since challenged the decision at the appellate court and requested a stay of execution while the legal process continues.
