The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore the fuel subsidy if elected President in 2027, while outlining plans to tackle insecurity within his first 100 days in office.

Atiku said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove the subsidy had failed to translate into sufficient benefits for Nigerians, despite the savings generated by the policy.

Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the regime as unsustainable.

Atiku acknowledged that he initially supported the decision but said subsequent developments had changed his position.

“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money?” Atiku said during a social media interview.

He questioned whether the savings had been used to improve critical sectors such as healthcare, education and security.

“Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he asked.

The former Vice President subsequently pledged to reverse the policy if he defeats Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he said.

Speaking during a Hausa-language interview on the PAP show on Wednesday, Atiku also outlined measures he said he would implement within his first 100 days to tackle insecurity.

He promised to increase the number of security personnel and provide them with adequate equipment, while holding security chiefs accountable for their performance.

“What I will do in the first 100 days in office to address insecurity is to increase the number of security personnel and equip them adequately,” he said.

Atiku recalled advising a former president to summon all security chiefs when Boko Haram emerged in Yobe State and demand results from them.

“Boko Haram started in Yobe. At that time the president called me and told me there was a serious problem and asked what should be done. I advised him to summon all the security chiefs. When they arrived, I told him to ask them to either address the issue or resign. But now, failure of leadership is the reason they are not being summoned.”

He also expressed support for retired military officers protesting over unpaid entitlements, attributing the situation to alleged diversion and theft of public funds.

Atiku’s promises on fuel subsidy, insecurity and public-sector accountability are expected to feature prominently in his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.