African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has pledged to restore the fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Atiku, a former vice-president, said the removal of the subsidy by President Bola Tinubu had not delivered sufficient benefits to Nigerians, questioning how the savings from the policy had been utilised.

He said although he initially supported the removal of the subsidy, developments since then 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,” Atiku said during a social media interview.

He also demanded transparency over the savings generated from the subsidy removal, asking whether the funds had been used to improve healthcare, education and security.

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the regime as unsustainable.

The Federal Government has defended the policy, arguing that it was necessary to ease pressure on public finances and redirect resources towards development.

Atiku’s pledge is expected to make fuel subsidy one of the major economic issues in the 2027 presidential campaign.