2027: I Will Make Life Affordable Again — Atiku Pledges

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government's handling of petrol subsidy removal, saying Nigerians are facing increasing pressure from rising transportation, food and energy costs.

Atiku pledged to pursue a different policy approach if elected in 2027, declaring: “I will make life affordable again.”

In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said President Bola Tinubu's Independence Day address did not adequately reflect the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.

The former vice president particularly criticised Tinubu's defence of fuel subsidy removal and the President's description of subsidies as “addictive.”

Atiku also challenged the President's statement that salaries and pensions were being paid “on time and in full,” saying federal workers had reported delays and pensioners continued to raise concerns over unpaid entitlements.

He cited Germany's temporary reduction of energy taxes on petrol and diesel as an example of government intervention to cushion consumers from high fuel prices.

Under the German measure, which took effect on October 1, the energy tax on petrol and diesel was reduced by 14 cents per litre until the end of 2026. Including the associated VAT effect, the total relief amounts to about 17 cents per litre, with the government estimating the overall relief for households and businesses at €2.5 billion.

Atiku argued that rising petrol prices have effects beyond the cost of transportation because higher transport costs can increase the cost of moving food and other goods.

“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.

“Germany understands that when fuel prices put families under pressure, government must act. Nigerians deserve the same compassion and urgency,” he added.

Atiku said his proposed intervention would not seek to recreate the former system of subsidising imported petrol. Instead, he proposed targeted and budgeted support for fuel refined in Nigeria, with government funding subject to auditing.

“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,” Atiku said.

“Support will follow the barrel refined here, creating jobs here and easing costs for Nigerians. It will be funded by cutting waste, protected against diversion and price manipulation, and will not apply to imported fuel.”

The ADC candidate also expressed sympathy for Nigerians struggling to meet rising transportation, food and household expenses.

“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.

Atiku further argued that reducing fuel costs could have wider effects across the economy by lowering transportation expenses and reducing the cost of moving goods to markets.

“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.

His proposal forms part of his broader economic message ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the former vice president presenting domestic refining and targeted fuel support as measures he says could reduce pressure on households and businesses.