Atiku Vows to Bring Back Petrol Subsidy If Elected

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has promised to bring back petrol subsidy if he becomes president next year.

Atiku made this promise in a post on X on Tuesday evening. This was in response to critics who have questioned his earlier promise to restore the petrol subsidy that was removed by Bola Tinubu's government.

"On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own," the former vice president said.

Petrol subsidy has been a hot topic among Nigerians. Governments over the years have argued that it needs to be removed because they can no longer afford it. Supporters of the subsidy believe that removing it would add to the suffering of millions of Nigerians, leading to higher prices for goods and services.

President Tinubu, who beat Atiku in the 2023 elections, announced the end of petrol subsidy on his first day in office. The removal of the subsidy, along with the floating of the naira, has worsened Nigeria's cost of living crisis. Prices of goods and services have tripled, making life harder for many.

The government defends its decision, claiming it has cut waste and corruption. They say the money saved is now available for investing in key areas like education and infrastructure. The presidency and the ruling party have also criticized Atiku for changing his mind about the subsidy, as he previously supported removing it in earlier elections.

In his post, Atiku promised to restore "targeted subsidy" but did not explain how he plans to do that.

"On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own."

"I believe the wealth of a nation is not measured by how much government collects, but by how much the money in the pockets of its people can buy."

"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. I want businesses to produce, employ and prosper."

"That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians."

"When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer."

"I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency."

"I will support Nigerian production, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief."

He repeated this promise when he met with the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja on Tuesday.

"I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people."

"Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian."

"That is the Nigeria I intend to build." -AA