African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the promise during a Hausa-language interview on the PAP programme on Wednesday, where he criticised the impact of the subsidy removal under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The former vice-president said he initially supported the decision to remove the subsidy but had since changed his position based on developments following its implementation.
“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 wins the 2027 presidential election, while also promising to pursue the recovery of funds allegedly stolen under the subsidy regime.
“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 petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the naira generated N15.8 trillion in savings for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
He argued that Nigerians had yet to see improvements in their living conditions that correspond with the level of savings reported by the government.
According to him, the resources generated from the policies should have translated into improvements in key sectors, including healthcare, education, security and youth empowerment.
“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 also accused successive political leaders of corruption and injustice, which he identified as major factors contributing to the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians.
President Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the subsidy regime as unsustainable.
The Federal Government has maintained that the reform was necessary to free up resources for development and reduce the financial burden of subsidising petrol.
On Wednesday, the government said the removal of the subsidy and the liberalisation of the naira had generated N15.8 trillion in resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
Atiku’s pledge to restore the subsidy places the policy at the centre of his economic campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
