Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his plan to restore a targeted fuel subsidy if elected, saying the policy would help reduce living costs and improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.
Atiku made the commitment in a statement published in X on Tuesday, shortly after receiving the leadership of the Osun State African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja.
He said his position on fuel subsidy had remained unchanged, arguing that Nigeria’s resources should be used to cushion the economic pressure faced by citizens.
According to him, the removal of subsidies has contributed to rising transport and food costs, making it increasingly difficult for households and businesses to cope with rising expenses.
He said his subsidy proposal would be aimed at providing relief to Nigerians rather than restoring what he described as import fraud.
Atiku said he wanted wages to regain their purchasing power, while farmers should be able to transport their produce without losing profits due to high logistics costs.
He also pledged to support domestic production, reduce energy costs and improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.
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The former vice president said the policy would seek to address the connection between rising fuel prices, transport costs and food prices, which he said had put additional pressure on households.
He also promised to make daily life more affordable and strengthen economic and physical security if given the opportunity to lead the country.
Atiku said the restoration of the targeted subsidy would form part of his broader plan to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and build what he described as a better Nigeria.
He wrote: “On the issue of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours does not have to abandon its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to take care of its own.
“I believe that the wealth of a nation is not measured by how much the government collects, but by how much the money that is in the pockets of its people can buy.
“I want wages to have value again. I want farmers to transport their products without transportation eating into their profits. I want families to fill their baskets without emptying their pockets. I want companies to produce, employ and prosper.
“That is why I will restore targeted subsidies and return purchasing power to the hands of Nigerians.
“When fuel increases, transportation increases. When transportation increases, food increases. When food increases, families suffer.
“I will break that miserable chain that has defined our national life in the almost four years of Tinubu’s presidency.
“I will support Nigerian manufacturing, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore import fraud; I will restore relief.
“I reiterated this commitment when I received the ADC leadership in Osun State in Abuja on Tuesday.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily life affordable again and protect our people.
“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian. That is the Nigeria I intend to build. -AA”
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