African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to restore fuel subsidy if elected President in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the promise during a Hausa-language interview on the PAP programme on Wednesday.
The former Vice President said he initially supported the removal of the petrol subsidy but had changed his position following developments under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?” Atiku asked.
He said his administration would reverse the policy if he defeats Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he said.
Atiku also questioned the Federal Government’s claim that the removal of the subsidy and liberalisation of the naira generated N15.8 trillion in savings for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
He argued that Nigerians had not seen sufficient improvements in their living conditions despite the savings.
“Now it has been removed. Where is the money? If the funds were used to improve healthcare, education, insecurity, security and youth empowerment, things would have been better,” he said.
The ADC candidate further accused political leaders of corruption and injustice, arguing that these were among the major reasons Nigerians continued to suffer.
President Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the scheme as unsustainable.
The Federal Government said on Wednesday that subsidy removal and naira liberalisation had generated N15.8 trillion in resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
