morgANABLE politics/elections
According to Atiku, the impact of rising fuel prices extends beyond the cost of petrol, affecting virtually every aspect of daily life.
KaNo—
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to tackle the rising cost of living in Nigeria, criticising the Federal Government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal and promising policy changes aimed at making life more affordable for citizens.
Atiku, a former vice president, expressed concern over the economic hardship facing Nigerians, linking the situation to escalating fuel prices, transportation costs and food inflation.
He said his administration, if elected in the 2027 general elections, would adopt a different approach to fuel pricing and economic management.
“I will make life affordable again,” Atiku said in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
The statement was released in response to President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, which Atiku argued did not sufficiently reflect the economic struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
The former vice president faulted the President’s defence of the removal of petrol subsidy, particularly the description of subsidies as “addictive.”
According to Atiku, the impact of rising fuel prices extends beyond the cost of petrol, affecting virtually every aspect of daily life.
“When petrol becomes more expensive, transport becomes more expensive. When transport costs rise, food and other essentials cost more. The hardship follows Nigerians from the filling station to the market and into their homes,” he said.
Nigeria has faced significant economic adjustments since the Tinubu administration announced the removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023, a policy that led to a sharp increase in pump prices.
While the government has maintained that the decision was necessary to reduce fiscal pressure and redirect funds to critical sectors, many Nigerians have continued to grapple with higher living costs.
Atiku, however, argued that government must take more direct steps to cushion the effects of the policy, drawing comparisons with measures adopted in other countries.
He cited Germany’s recent decision to reduce energy taxes on petrol and diesel between October 1 and December 31, 2026, as part of efforts to ease the burden on households and businesses.
The German government said the move would reduce energy tax by 14 cents per litre, rising to about 17 cents per litre when value-added tax adjustments are included, providing an estimated €2.5bn in relief.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the measure was designed to offer quick support to consumers facing high fuel costs.
Atiku said the German example demonstrated that governments have a responsibility to intervene when citizens are under economic pressure.
“Germany understands that when fuel prices put families under pressure, government must act. Nigerians deserve the same compassion and urgency,” he said.
As part of his proposed policy direction, Atiku outlined plans for targeted support for locally refined petroleum products rather than a broad subsidy regime.
He explained that government funding would be tied specifically to fuel refined within Nigeria, with strict oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse.
“Our plan is to restore targeted, budgeted support for fuel refined in Nigeria, with strict auditing and a guarantee that the benefit lowers pump prices. Support will follow the barrel refined here, creating jobs here and easing costs for Nigerians,” he said.
He added that the policy would be funded by reducing waste in public spending and would not apply to imported fuel, a move he said would encourage local production while protecting public finances.
The former vice president also addressed concerns over workers’ welfare, disputing claims by the Federal Government that salaries and pensions were being paid promptly.
He said reports from federal workers and pensioners suggested otherwise, noting ongoing complaints about delays and unpaid entitlements.
Beyond policy proposals, Atiku expressed sympathy for Nigerians facing difficult choices amid rising living costs.
“To every Nigerian forced to choose between feeding a family, paying for transport or meeting another basic need, I am deeply sorry. You did not deserve this hardship,” he said.
He criticised what he described as the government’s framing of citizens’ suffering as the cost of reform, insisting that economic policies should prioritise the welfare of the people.
Atiku further argued that reducing fuel costs would have a multiplier effect across the economy, lowering transportation expenses and ultimately reducing the cost of goods and services.
“Lower fuel costs can mean a cheaper bus ride, more affordable goods at the market and more money left in a family’s pocket,” he said.
The debate over petrol pricing and subsidy removal has remained a central issue in Nigeria’s economic discourse, with policymakers, economists and political actors divided over the best approach.
While the Federal Government has highlighted measures such as wage adjustments, social intervention programmes and other reforms to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal, critics have called for more immediate relief for households.
Atiku maintained that Nigeria’s natural and economic resources should translate into improved living conditions for its citizens.
“Nigeria’s wealth should ease the burden on its people,” he said, reiterating his campaign message of producing locally, creating jobs and reducing costs.
Meanwhile, the vice-presidential candidate of the ADC, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, has called on party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the ADC National Women League Conference in Abuja, Amaechi urged party leaders, particularly women, to return to their states and wards to mobilise support for the party’s candidates.
He warned that the political future of many ADC leaders could depend on the outcome of the election, stressing that a victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress would have significant consequences for the opposition.
“If you are not from the Federal Capital Territory, go home and campaign,” Amaechi said, encouraging supporters to engage actively in voter mobilisation.
He emphasised the importance of ward-level participation, suggesting that securing a significant number of votes from each ward could determine the outcome of the election.
“We will not take any election lightly. You will see me across states campaigning because the presidential election is critical,” he added.
Amaechi also highlighted the role of women in political mobilisation, urging them to influence voter participation within their households and communities.
The ADC leadership has continued to position itself as a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 polls, with its candidates focusing on economic recovery, governance reforms and social welfare.
