Atiku Abubakar Vows Full Fuel Subsidy Return, Disowns Aide’s Conflicting Remarks
Abuja, August 26, 2026 — Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has firmly restated his commitment to restoring fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, explicitly distancing himself from remarks by his aide that appeared to contradict his position.
In a video statement shared widely on social media and reported by Arise News, Atiku declared: “I will categorically return subsidy.”
He emphasised that Nigeria is wealthy enough to prioritise the welfare of its citizens and that the removal of the subsidy under the current administration has driven more Nigerians into poverty than at any other time.
“Let me make it clear that my aide, Phrank Shaibu, was not speaking with my authority when he made remarks that contradict my policy on subsidy removal,” Atiku said. “The fundamental responsibility of government is the welfare of the people. I will also ensure that we secure this country. We are competing against thieves: they stole the election, and now they are stealing from the economy.”
Clarifying the Policy Position
Atiku’s strong reaffirmation comes amid internal messaging differences within his camp.
While some aides had suggested any restored intervention would be temporary and phased out once the economy stabilized, the former vice president has repeatedly insisted his stance remains unchanged: subsidy will be restored.
His team has consistently drawn a distinction between the old, widely criticized import-based subsidy regime and what Atiku proposes.
Officials describe it as a targeted, capped, transparently budgeted and independently audited support mechanism focused on domestic refining and production rather than imports and middlemen.
The goal, they say, is to lower energy and transportation costs, restore household purchasing power, and strengthen local refining capacity with measurable exit conditions tied to market performance.
Atiku has argued that affordable fuel would make wages more meaningful, allow farmers to move produce without transport costs eroding profits, help families afford basic goods, and enable businesses to produce and employ more people.
Broader Political Context
The former vice president has used the subsidy debate to criticise the Bola Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the May 2023 subsidy removal.
He maintains that the promised benefits of the reform have not sufficiently reached ordinary Nigerians and has repeatedly called for transparent accounting of the revenues and savings generated.
Speaking while receiving the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja, Atiku framed his policy as a choice between “Expensive Nigeria versus Affordable Nigeria,” positioning the restoration of targeted support as essential relief for households still struggling with elevated transport, food and living costs.
As the 2027 election cycle intensifies, Atiku’s clear, uncompromising language on subsidy is likely to keep the cost-of-living crisis at the centre of political debate.
Supporters see it as a direct response to widespread hardship; critics warn that any return to subsidy, even in a reformed form, risks fiscal strain and potential leakages if not tightly managed.
For now, Atiku has left little room for ambiguity: the policy is restoration, the authority is his alone, and the stated priority remains the welfare and security of Nigerian citizens.
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