Atiku Abubakar Clarifies Petroleum Policy, Denies Return to Discredited Subsidy Regime

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar has clarified his proposed petroleum intervention strategy, distinguishing it sharply from Nigeria's previously discredited import-subsidy regime. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar emphasized that his plan involves targeted support for domestic production aimed at reducing the cost of living, rather than a simple restoration and subsequent removal of fuel subsidies.

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For avoidance of the doubt, policy belongs to the candidate, not the spokesperson.

Shaibu addressed comments attributed to Paul Ibe, which suggested an Abubakar administration would 'restore fuel subsidy and remove it later.' Shaibu characterized these remarks as unauthorized, imprecise, and materially misleading, stressing that no spokesperson has the authority to alter or embellish the candidate's clearly articulated policy positions. He asserted that policy originates from the candidate, and the role of communicators is to explain it accurately, avoiding confusion or providing opponents with easy talking points.

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Atiku has never proposed restoring the import-subsidy regime and subsequently removing it on some predetermined date. That is not his policy and should not be attributed to him.

Abubakar's policy, as explained, does not involve arbitrarily restoring the import-subsidy regime with a predetermined removal date. Instead, it proposes a targeted, capped, transparently budgeted, and independently audited subsidy. This support is designed to bolster domestic refining and production, with built-in, measurable exit conditions. The intervention is intended to become progressively unnecessary as domestic refining capacity expands, supply stabilizes, competition increases, and the market naturally achieves affordable prices without government intervention.

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What Atiku proposes is a targeted, capped, transparently budgeted and independently audited subsidy that supports domestic refining and production, with measurable exit conditions built in from day one.

Shaibu urged Nigerians not to be distracted by terminology, framing the core issue as the high cost of living and Abubakar's commitment to making life affordable again. He contrasted Abubakar's approach with the current administration's reforms, stating that while Tinubu transferred the shock of his reforms to Nigerian families, Abubakar aims to reduce production and transportation costs, strengthen domestic refining, and restore purchasing power. The choice, he concluded, is between an 'Expensive Nigeria' and an 'Affordable Nigeria.'

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You do not remove scaffolding because the calendar says so. You remove it when the building can stand securely on its own.