Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has publicly disowned remarks made by his media aide, Paul Ibe, regarding the fuel subsidy policy. The former Vice President reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the policy if he wins the 2027 presidential election, stating that his position has not changed and will not change.
Atiku Rejects Aide's Interview Remarks
Atiku made his position clear on Tuesday while hosting the Osun State ADC leadership in Abuja. His remarks were a direct response to an interview his aide, Paul Ibe, gave on African Independent Television (AIT), in which Ibe suggested that Atiku would restore petrol subsidy but gradually phase it out once the economy recovered. Atiku rejected that framing outright, saying Ibe was not speaking on his authority.
In a video shared via his X handle @atiku on Tuesday, August 25, Atiku said: "Earlier, one of my press aides contradicted me in a policy statement as far as subsidy is concerned. I want to repeat categorically that when I said I would return to subsidy, I will! Nigeria is rich enough to look after the welfare of its citizens. Let it be clearly stated that he was not speaking on my own authority."
Atiku Explains Targeted Subsidy Plan
In a follow-up statement posted on his X account, Atiku laid out the reasoning behind his position, saying the goal of restoring targeted subsidy was to ease the burden of rising fuel, transport and food costs on ordinary Nigerians. "On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!" he wrote.
Atiku argued that national wealth should not be judged solely by government revenue, but by the purchasing power of citizens. He said he wanted wages to recover their real value, farmers to retain profits after transporting produce, and families to access food and essential goods at affordable prices. "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," he said.
Fuel Price Increases and Cost-of-Living Crisis
The ADC candidate drew a direct line between fuel price increases and the broader cost-of-living crisis, describing it as a chain reaction that had defined life under President Bola Tinubu's administration. "When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer," he said. "I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu's presidency."
Atiku was careful to separate his proposed relief from what he called an "import racket," saying his policy would centre on supporting local production, cutting energy costs and putting purchasing power back into the hands of Nigerians. "I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief," he said. He added that his broader agenda would cover both economic and physical security, with the goal of making daily life more affordable for every Nigerian.
Context on Subsidy Removal and Funds
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Atiku said he would bring back the petrol subsidy if he wins the 2027 election. Atiku questioned where the funds saved from subsidy removal went, accusing those in government of stealing the money. The Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said subsidy removal generated N15.8 trillion for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
