Arise Television’s Political News Editor, Sumner Sambo, has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to clearly explain to Nigerians what his proposal to return to the fuel subsidy regime would entail.
Sambo made the call on Monday while appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, following Atiku’s pledge to reinstate fuel subsidies if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku had criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the policy had failed to deliver sufficient benefits to Nigerians.
The former vice president’s position has generated reactions across the political space, with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) criticising the proposal.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also attacked Atiku’s position, describing him as confused and accusing him of inconsistency over the subsidy issue.
Sambo Demands Clarity
Speaking on the issue, Sambo said Atiku needed to provide Nigerians with details of how his proposed subsidy policy would work if the ADC takes power.
“Atiku needs to explain to Nigerians what returning to fuel subsidy entails,” Sambo said.
He argued that if the proposal is being presented as a campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 election, the ADC should convince Nigerians that it has a practical and sustainable plan for implementing it.
Sambo said the party should explain how the proposed subsidy would be funded, how Nigerians would benefit and how the government would prevent the policy from becoming a burden on public finances.
Debate Over Subsidy Savings
Sambo acknowledged the argument from Atiku’s camp that the removal of the subsidy has not sufficiently benefited ordinary Nigerians.
He observed that, under the Tinubu administration, the savings from subsidy removal have been criticised as disproportionately benefiting elites while many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising living costs.
“Because, for example, in the Tinubu administration, we have seen that this fuel subsidy savings and removal has favoured the elites more than the ordinary people,” he said.
He added that Atiku’s supporters have also argued that the government has provided incentives to investors in the upstream oil sector while Nigerians continue to face economic hardship.
Subsidy Becomes 2027 Campaign Issue
The controversy over petrol subsidies is emerging as an important economic issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While the Tinubu administration has defended the removal of the subsidy as necessary to reduce government spending and redirect resources towards development, opposition politicians have argued that the policy has contributed to higher fuel prices and increased the cost of living.
Atiku’s proposal to restore the subsidy has therefore opened a wider debate over how Nigeria should manage petrol pricing, government spending and social protection.
As political parties prepare for the 2027 election, Nigerians are likely to demand more details from candidates on how their proposed economic policies would translate into lower living costs and improved living standards.
