Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to restoring a targeted fuel subsidy if elected president, arguing that Nigerians should not be left to bear the full burden of rising energy and living costs.
Atiku said his position on subsidy had remained unchanged, insisting that Nigeria’s resources should be used to cushion the impact of economic hardship on citizens.
The former vice president made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Osun State leadership of the ADC.
According to him, the wealth of a nation should not be measured solely by government revenue but by the purchasing power of its citizens.
“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it,” Atiku said.
He said restoring a targeted subsidy would be part of his broader plan to improve purchasing power, reduce energy costs and make essential goods and services more affordable.
Atiku argued that rising petrol prices have a cascading effect on the economy, particularly through transportation and food costs.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.
He promised to implement policies aimed at helping farmers transport their produce at lower costs, enabling businesses to expand and creating conditions for higher wages to translate into improved living standards.
“I want wages to have value again. I want farmers to move produce without transport swallowing their profits. I want families to fill their baskets without emptying their pockets,” he said.
Atiku stressed that his proposed subsidy would be targeted and would not amount to a return to the previous system of alleged fuel importation abuses.
“I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.
He also pledged to support domestic production, reduce energy costs and strengthen the purchasing power of Nigerians.
The ADC presidential candidate criticised the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration, saying the country had experienced worsening hardship since the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He promised that, if elected, his administration would prioritise economic security, physical security and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people,” Atiku said.
