BREAKING: ATIKU SAYS HE WILL RESTORE FUEL SUBSIDY TO CUT COST OF LIVING

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has clarified his position on fuel subsidy, saying his proposed intervention is aimed at reducing the cost of living for Nigerians, not returning to the old import-subsidy system.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the proposed policy would be a targeted, capped, transparently budgeted and independently audited subsidy designed to support domestic refining and petroleum production.

The statement followed comments suggesting that an Atiku administration would restore fuel subsidy and later remove it.

Atiku’s team rejected that description, saying the policy would instead have measurable exit conditions from the beginning.

According to the statement, the intervention would gradually become unnecessary as domestic refining increases, fuel supply becomes more stable, competition grows and the market becomes capable of providing affordable prices without government support.

“You do not remove scaffolding because the calendar says so. You remove it when the building can stand securely on its own.”

Atiku also criticised the current economic situation, arguing that the burden of recent reforms has been transferred to Nigerian families.

His campaign said an Atiku administration would focus on reducing production and transportation costs, strengthening domestic refining and restoring Nigerians’ purchasing power.

The statement concluded with a clear message:

“The choice is not removal of subsidy versus restoration of subsidy. It is Expensive Nigeria versus Affordable Nigeria.”