Atiku promises fuel subsidy return for 2027 election despite 2023 removal stance
Atiku Abubakar, ADC presidential candidate, has renewed his promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027—a direct reversal from his 2023 campaign where he advocated for subsidy removal. His spokesperson Paul Ibe clarified the intervention would be temporary, aiming to give Nigerians and businesses time to recover economically.
The proposal has ignited debate with experts divided. Dr Suleiman Ishak Muhammad (FUD lecturer) called it a "political fallacy," citing historical corruption in the subsidy system since the 1970s, including the NNPC fraud scandal. He urged focus on economic diversification instead. Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim (economist) argued the 2023 removal worsened hardship but noted it shouldn't have happened during existing crises, pointing to energy support measures in Germany/France/UK.
Political analyst Kabiru Ojo suggested an alternative: subsidizing crude for Dangote Refinery rather than imported fuel to strengthen the naira and reduce forex pressure. With petrol currently over ₦1,300/liter post-removal, Nigerians face stark choices—believe Atiku's renewed promise despite his past stance, or demand concrete plans for economic resilience beyond subsidy rhetoric.