By Hauwa Gwandu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has renewed his pledge to restore a targeted fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, saying the policy would ease the burden of rising living costs and restore Nigerians’ purchasing power.

Atiku made the commitment on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the Osun State leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reiterating that his position on fuel subsidy had remained unchanged.

He argued that Nigeria’s resources should be deployed to cushion the economic hardship facing citizens, particularly as rising fuel prices continue to drive up transportation and food costs.

According to the former vice president, the removal of fuel subsidy has placed additional pressure on households, farmers and businesses by increasing the cost of moving people and goods across the country.

Atiku said his proposed intervention would not amount to a return to the subsidy regime he described as an “import racket,” but would instead be a targeted mechanism designed to provide relief to Nigerians.

“On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it,” Atiku said in a statement posted on X.

He said the ultimate measure of economic progress should be the purchasing power of citizens rather than the amount of revenue collected by government.

“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 pledged to pursue policies aimed at restoring the value of wages, reducing energy costs and making it cheaper for farmers to transport their produce to markets.

He also promised to strengthen domestic production, arguing that lower energy and transportation costs would enable businesses to produce more, create jobs and remain competitive.

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

Atiku said his administration would seek to break what he described as the cycle linking high fuel prices to rising transportation and food costs.

He further promised to make daily living more affordable while strengthening both the economic and physical security of Nigerians.

The ADC presidential candidate said restoring targeted fuel subsidy would therefore form part of a broader economic agenda focused on improving living standards and putting greater purchasing power in the hands of citizens.

“I will support Nigerian production, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief,” he said.

Atiku’s renewed pledge comes as fuel prices, transportation costs and household expenses remain major issues likely to shape political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He said his objective was to build an economy in which Nigerians could earn more, spend less on basic necessities and enjoy greater economic security.

“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian. That is the Nigeria I intend to build,” he said.