Atiku vows to restore fuel subsidy if elected, demands to know where N15trn savings went

African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has vowed to restore the petrol subsidy removed by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023 if elected in the January 2027 presidential election, while demanding accountability for the N15.8 trillion the government claims to have saved from the policy.

Speaking on the PAP show in a Hausa-language interview, as reported by Daily Trust, Atiku acknowledged he initially did not oppose the subsidy removal but said subsequent developments had changed his position.

“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money. Now it has been removed. Where is the money?” he asked.

Atiku questioned whether the claimed savings had improved healthcare, education, security or youth empowerment, arguing that corruption among political leaders remained the primary driver of Nigerian suffering.