‘My Position Stands’ — Atiku Vows to Restore Petrol Subsidy, Explains Plan for Cheaper Fuel

• Atiku has renewed his promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, saying his proposed support for local refineries would make fuel more affordable.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, insisting that the intervention would help ease the financial pressure on Nigerians.

Atiku restated his position in a post on X on Monday, November 9, accompanied by a campaign video explaining his proposed approach.

“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” he wrote.

The accompanying video said the proposed assistance would focus on petrol produced by domestic refineries, rather than subsidising imported products.

The pledge renews the debate over fuel affordability and the economic choices facing voters ahead of the next presidential election.

Under the approach outlined by his campaign, government support would be targeted and temporary, with assistance tied to crude oil supplied to local refineries.

The campaign argues that reducing production costs would allow participating refineries to supply petroleum products at more affordable prices. It also proposes monitoring arrangements to ensure that the benefit reaches consumers, followed by a gradual withdrawal of support as economic conditions improve.

Atiku’s renewed pledge follows President Bola Tinubu’s rejection of a return to the subsidy regime during a November 6 engagement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Tinubu defended the removal of subsidy, arguing that continuing the previous arrangement would have exposed Nigeria to serious financial difficulties. He also maintained that the reform had addressed abuses associated with the old system and increased revenue available to governments.

The disagreement extends beyond whether government should intervene in petrol prices to how any intervention would be funded and enforced.

In an earlier statement dated September 20, published on the State House website, APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesman Dele Alake questioned the legal and financial basis of Atiku’s proposal.

Alake asked how assistance to refineries would guarantee lower filling-station prices, what the annual spending limit would be and how the scheme would prevent diversion and fraudulent claims.

Those objections preceded Atiku’s latest statement and should not be mistaken for a new response to Monday’s post.

Atiku’s announcement remains an election pledge. It does not introduce an immediate petrol price reduction or change the government’s current fuel policy.