Get Guardian on GoogleThe presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has once again promised to restore petroleum and electricity subsidies if elected in 2027.
Atiku made the promise in Bauchi State on Saturday while speaking at an ADC presidential campaign rally for the 2027 election.
He promised to restore petroleum and electricity subsidies, strengthen security nationwide, and advance oil production at the Kolmani field.
“I promise all Nigerians that I will restore the petroleum subsidy. Not only that, I will also restore the subsidy for electricity power,” Atiku said.
“I will restore security in the northeast and the country in general. I also promise that I will continue the exploitation of petroleum in Kolmani, Bauchi.
“If I am voted in, I swear to you I will continue the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project in the northeast.”
The former Vice President had previously made the restoration of petrol subsidy a major part of his 2027 campaign pitch, arguing that Nigerians have not seen sufficient benefits from the removal of the policy by President Bola Tinubu.
In previous interviews, Atiku had questioned the whereabouts of funds generated following the decision by President Tinubu to end the petrol subsidy upon his assumption of office in May 2023.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it.”
His declaration came after the Federal Government provided a fresh estimate of the financial gains from the subsidy reform.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said that the removal of the subsidy generated N15.8 trillion in resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
Oyedele said the figure reflected increased revenue mobilisation, including the effect of the naira value of dollar-denominated transactions following the government’s exchange-rate reforms.
Atiku disputed the government’s presentation of the gains from the reforms and in a separate statement, his camp challenged the Tinubu administration to account for approximately N30 trillion in federation revenues, deductions, savings and transfers which it said required transparent reconciliation.
He argued that the resources released by subsidy removal should have produced more visible improvements in Nigerians’ lives, particularly in security, education, infrastructure and employment.
“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went,” Atiku said.
“If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different. If elected, I can remove the subsidy and use the money to do all these properly.”
