Atiku disowns aide, insists ‘I will restore subsidy’

Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has firmly restated his intention to restore fuel subsidy, directly countering remarks made by one of his media aides. Abubakar insisted that his stance has not wavered and that Nigeria has the financial capacity to care for its citizens.

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On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!

Speaking Tuesday while receiving the Osun State leadership of the African Democratic Congress in Abuja, Abubakar clarified that comments made by his aide, Paul Ibe, during a television interview did not represent his official position. Ibe had suggested that Abubakar would restore subsidy but phase it out as the economy recovered. Abubakar, however, declared on his X account, "When I said I would return to subsidy, I will!" He asserted that a nation as prosperous as Nigeria should not abandon its people to hardship.

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A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own.

Abubakar articulated his vision for the economy, stating that a nation's wealth is measured by the purchasing power of its citizens, not just government revenue. He aims to restore value to wages, reduce transport costs for farmers, make groceries affordable, and enable businesses to thrive. "I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians," he pledged, aiming to break the cycle of rising fuel, transport, and food prices that have burdened families during President Tinubu's administration.

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I want wages to have value again. I want farmers to move produce without transport swallowing their profits. I want families to fill their baskets without emptying their pockets. I want businesses to produce, employ and prosper.

He further distinguished his plan from the former subsidy system, which supported imported petrol. Abubakar's proposal focuses on a capped, transparent intervention to bolster local refining, increase supply, and lower energy costs. "I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief," he stated, reiterating his commitment to making the naira stronger, daily living more affordable, and securing the nation.

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That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians.