By Abba Dukawa
Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday, where he criticised the Federal Government over its handling of the funds saved from the removal of the subsidy.
The former vice-president said he did not oppose the decision to remove the subsidy but questioned how the savings had been utilised. According to him, the funds were expected to be channelled towards reducing poverty, improving education and enhancing the welfare of Nigerians.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said in Hausa.
He further pledged that, if elected president, his administration would reinstate the subsidy and recover funds allegedly misappropriated.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.
Atiku argued that the removal of the subsidy could have been justified if the resulting savings had been transparently invested in projects and programmes aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
He said the funds could have been used to address insecurity, strengthen the education sector, create employment opportunities for young people and drive development across the country.
