Atiku Rejects Aide’s Subsidy Remarks, Says He Will Restore Fuel Subsidy

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected comments by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on the future of fuel subsidy, declaring that he remains committed to restoring the policy if elected president in 2027.

Atiku said Nigeria had enough resources to provide relief to its citizens and maintained that his position on subsidy had not changed.

He made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Osun State leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

His reaction followed remarks by Ibe in an interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where the aide said Atiku would restore petrol subsidy if elected but eventually phase it out as the economy recovered.

However, Atiku said Ibe was not authorised to speak for him on the matter and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the subsidy.

“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 separate statement on X, the former vice president said the purpose of his proposed targeted subsidy was to reduce the burden of increasing fuel, transportation and food prices on Nigerians.

“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!” he said.

Atiku argued that the strength of an economy should not be judged simply by government revenue, but by the ability of ordinary citizens to afford goods and services.

“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.

He said his priority would be to restore the purchasing power of workers, ensure farmers could transport their goods without losing their profits to high transportation costs, and create an environment where businesses can produce, employ and expand.

He also promised to make food and other essential commodities more affordable for Nigerian families.

“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians,” he said.

Atiku attributed the rising cost of living partly to increases in petrol prices, explaining that higher fuel costs have a ripple effect on transportation and food prices.

“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer,” he said.

The former vice president said he intended to reverse what he described as a cycle of rising costs under the 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,” Atiku said.

He said his approach would involve strengthening local production, cutting energy costs and restoring Nigerians’ purchasing power.

“I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.

Atiku further stated that his administration would pursue economic and physical security while working to improve the standard of living across the country.

“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.

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