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Debunks Aide’s Claim
- Safiu Kehinde
Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has affirmed his plan to return fuel subsidy if elected as he debunked claims made by one of his media aides, Paul Ibe.
Atiku reiterated that he would restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that Nigeria was wealthy enough to provide relief for its citizens.
This is coming under the heels of comment by Ibe who, in an interview with the African Independent Television (AIT), said Atiku would restore petrol subsidy if elected but gradually phase it out after the economy recovered.
Reacting during his address while receiving the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja on Tuesday, the former vice-president said Ibe was not speaking on his behalf.
“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 said.
In a further statement posted on his X account, Atiku further explained that his proposed targeted subsidy would cushion the effects of rising fuel, transportation and food prices on Nigerians.
According to him, the wealth of a nation should not be measured solely by government revenue but also by the purchasing power of its citizens.
“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.
Atiku said his administration would seek to restore the value of workers’ wages and enable farmers to transport their produce without excessive transportation costs eroding their profits.
He also promised to support businesses to increase production, create jobs and expand, while making food and other essential commodities more affordable for households.
“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku linked increases in petrol prices to rising transportation and food costs, saying the situation had placed additional pressure on Nigerian households.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.
He vowed to break what he described as a cycle of rising costs that had characterised the nearly four years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate said his economic agenda would focus on supporting local production, reducing energy costs and restoring Nigerians’ purchasing power.
“I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.
Atiku added that his broader agenda would prioritise economic and physical security while improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again and secure our people.
“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian. That is the Nigeria I intend to build,” he said.