By Dele Moses
Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Ababakar, has expatiated on his declaration that he would restore fuel subsidy if elected the president of the county in 2027.
Atiku had in a media interview in Hausa language recently, reportedly said that the subsidy removed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 was not being used to benefit the masses of the country it was meant for and declared that he would restore it as the president.
His position attracted criticism from some quarters including the Tinubu’s administration and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) which said restoring the subsidy would mean returning the country to economic retrogress caused by fraud being allegedly perpetrated with the subsidy.
But Atiku, in a statement on his Facebook page, said his position on the restoration of the subsidy has not changed and would not change.
He said he took the position because he believed the wealth of a nation is not measured by how much government collects, but by how much the money in the pockets of its people can buy.
Atiku who is a former Vice President of the country said he wanted wages to have value again, families to be able to buy foods without financial difficulties and businesses to produce, employ and prosper.
He stated:”On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own.
“I believe the wealth of a nation is not measured by how much government collects, but by how much the money in the pockets of its people can buy.
“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.
“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians.
“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer.
“I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency.
“I will support Nigerian production, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief.
“I restated this commitment when I received the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja on Tuesday.
“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people.
“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian.
“That is the Nigeria I intend to build.”
