Subsidy removal: My position has not changed – Atiku
Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has reaffirmed his intention to reinstate the fuel subsidy if he wins the presidency in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Abubakar, who made this statement on Tuesday via a post on his X platform, emphasized that his stance on the removal of the subsidy remains unchanged. He argued that Nigeria’s resources should not lead to economic hardship for its citizens.
“My position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!” he proclaimed, further asserting that the true strength of an economy should not only be evaluated by government revenue but also by the purchasing power of the populace.
The former Vice President outlined his planned economic policies, which aim to enhance wage values, lower transportation costs for farmers, make food more affordable, and foster a supportive environment for business growth and employment opportunities.
He indicated that his administration would implement what he referred to as a targeted subsidy, designed to improve purchasing power while mitigating the potential for abuses seen in previous subsidy regimes often linked to importation issues.
“That’s why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians,” he said.
Abubakar connected the rise in fuel prices directly to increases in transportation and food costs, suggesting that this cycle has exacerbated the difficulties faced by many Nigerians. “When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he stated.
He expressed his commitment to breaking this cycle of rising costs attributed to the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. “I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency,” he said.
The ADC candidate also pledged to support local production efforts, lower energy costs, and enhance the overall purchasing power of Nigerians. “I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he asserted.
Abubakar’s commitment to restoring the subsidy is framed within a broader economic and security agenda aimed at improving the daily lives of Nigerians. “I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people,” he concluded.
He expressed a vision for achieving “economic security, physical security, and a better life for every Nigerian,” stating, “That is the Nigeria I intend to build.”
For further details on his statements, visit Vanguard News.
