Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is promising millions of Nigerians he will remove petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general elections.

Atiku made the pledge during an interview session streamed on Facebook live with some select Hausa language news platforms on Wednesday, where he criticised the economic consequences of the subsidy removal and questioned how the savings announced by the federal government had been utilised.

Atiku emphasised that the subsidy removal had not delivered the expected benefits to ordinary Nigerians, arguing that the cost of living continues to rise while public services have not improved significantly to justify the hardship associated with the policy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had announced the end of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, declaring that “subsidy is gone.”

The decision immediately changed the structure of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market, with petrol prices rising substantially.

The Tinubu administration had argued that the subsidy had become financially unsustainable, consuming a large share of government resources while creating opportunities for fraud, smuggling and inefficiency.

The government had also maintained that removing the subsidy was necessary to free resources for infrastructure, social programmes and other development priorities.

The previous day, the government said that the combined reforms involving petrol subsidy removal and naira liberalisation generated N15.8 trillion in savings for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

Atiku, said ” I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?

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

He said that the savings from subsidy removal should have translated into improvements in healthcare, education, security and youth employment.

“Now it has been removed. Where is the money? If the funds were used to improve healthcare, education, insecurity, security and youth empowerment, things would have been better,” he stated.

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.