Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has pledged to reinstate Nigeria’s petrol subsidy should he win the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during a Facebook Live session, Atiku addressed questions on the impact of the subsidy removal on ordinary Nigerians. He said he had not initially opposed the policy but had since reversed his position after questioning the use of the savings generated.

“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he asked.

“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money.”

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, during his inauguration. The move led to a sharp rise in fuel prices and subsequent increases in transportation, food and other living costs. Tinubu has defended the decision, arguing that the subsidy had become unsustainable for the country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has kicked off campaign for reelection of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election by deploying mascots across strategic locations in Abuja.

This activity followed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to lift the ban on public campaigns for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to the commission, the move aligns with Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates that public campaigns for political parties must commence 150 days before polling day and conclude 24 hours before the election.

Daily Trust reported that mascots were stationed at the Beggar Roundabout, City Gate, the Federal Secretariat, Wuse 2, and the Central Area, with others moving through various streets.

The mascots held banners with inscriptions such as: “Vote Tinubu For a Stronger Naira, More Stable Economy” and “Nigeria Is Rising, Re-elect Tinubu For a Better Nigeria.”

In a viral video, one of the mascots claimed he was paid N80,000 to display the campaign banner, adding that he would quit the role if offered a higher wage.

“They paid me N80,000 to carry this Tinubu poster, but if I see a better offer like N100,000, I will drop it,” the mascot said.

• INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan during the signing of the peace accord. Photo: INEC

THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, has declared that today, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, marks the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies for the 2027 general election.

According to INEC’s revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Amupitan declared the political campaign take off during a peace accord signing ceremony in Abuja by political parties and presidential and National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The peace accord ceremony was organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre.

“Before the first campaign flag is unfurled, before the first rally is staged, and before political rhetoric fills our public space, it is necessary that those who seek to lead this nation first gather to establish the ethical boundaries of their contest,” Amupitan said.

According to him, Nigerians were expecting political parties and candidates to use the campaign period to discuss the challenges confronting the country rather than engage in personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.

The INEC chairman said information gathered by the National Peace Committee’s Election Security Information Hub had shown an “alarming resurgence” of hate speech, toxic polarisation, coordinated misinformation and personality-driven political discourse.

He said the trend was particularly disturbing as Nigeria approached what was expected to be one of the most fiercely contested elections since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Amupitan challenged the candidates to make the economy, national security, infrastructure, healthcare, education and social inclusion central to their campaigns.

He likened elections to a competition for public office rather than warfare.

“Electoral contests in a constitutional democracy are not total wars; they are competitive job interviews before the electorate. Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions,” he said.