2027: Atiku Unveils Fuel Subsidy Plan, Vows to End Election Rigging, Says ‘Tinubu Must Go’

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the rising cost of living, insecurity, fuel subsidy removal and alleged lack of accountability.

Atiku spoke on Thursday at the ADC headquarters in Abuja during his Independence Day address marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary.

He rejected Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria had entered an “age of prosperity”, arguing that Nigerians were still struggling with food, transport, healthcare, electricity and other basic needs.

Atiku said the removal of the petrol subsidy had increased the cost of transportation and food, and proposed a capped, budgeted production subsidy for petrol refined in Nigeria, including fuel from modular refineries.

He said imported petrol would not qualify under the proposal, adding that the programme would be publicly accounted for and independently audited.

The ADC candidate also criticised the government over insecurity, saying farmers, schoolchildren and families continued to live under the threat of attacks and kidnapping. He promised that an ADC government would prioritise security while reducing the cost of food, fuel and power.

Atiku also challenged the Federal Government to explain its promised reduction in transport fares from October 1, demanding the publication of affected routes and new fares.

“Nigerians cannot board an announcement,” he said.

On government spending, Atiku demanded greater transparency over borrowing, budgets and cash transfers, particularly the reported ₦75,000 payments to more than 10 million Nigerians.

He also questioned the procurement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and called for the publication of relevant bidding and contract documents, while urging the government to pay local contractors allegedly owed for completed projects.

On civil liberties, Atiku called for due process in cases involving detained Nigerians and demanded the release of five youths arrested in Borno over “Tinubu Must Go” T-shirts.

He further pledged that, if elected, his administration would respect INEC’s independence, ensure prompt publication of polling-unit results and prosecute vote-buying and election manipulation, regardless of party affiliation.

Atiku urged Nigerians to question all candidates, protect their votes and reject intimidation ahead of the 2027 election.

He concluded by rejecting Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria had crossed the “Red Sea” into prosperity, declaring that Nigerians must be able to experience the promised improvement in their daily lives.

“We have chosen a different course, peacefully and together, through the power of our votes,” Atiku said, before declaring: “Tinubu must go.”