Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu could temporarily restore petrol subsidy as the 2027 election approaches and reverse the policy after securing re-election.
Atiku made the allegation on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a world press conference at his residence in Abuja, where he also addressed the rising cost of petrol and its impact on Nigerians.
The former Vice President warned Nigerians against what he described as an election-time manoeuvre, alleging that any temporary reduction in petrol prices through subsidy restoration could be reversed after the election.
Atiku’s claim comes amid renewed debate over petrol prices and the economic impact of the subsidy removal announced by Tinubu in his May 29, 2023 inaugural address. In that address, Tinubu said the subsidy regime could no longer be justified by its rising cost and that resources would instead be redirected towards infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs.
According to Atiku, he was aware of plans by transport operators in Lagos to stage a protest over the rising cost of transportation and petrol.
“I’m aware that Lagos transporters are planning a protest,” Atiku said.
He alleged that such a protest could provide the Tinubu administration with an opportunity to temporarily reverse the subsidy policy.
“That protest will provide Bola Tinubu the excuse to temporarily bring back fuel subsidy and, after being re-elected, go back to remove it,” he alleged.
Atiku urged Nigerians to be wary of what he described as an election-related temporary intervention, insisting that the subsidy policy should not be manipulated for political purposes.
The ADC candidate has previously advocated intervention to reduce petrol prices and, in August, publicly maintained that he would restore a form of petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
The fuel subsidy issue has consequently emerged as a significant point of disagreement between Atiku and the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The Presidency has previously defended the subsidy removal as necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s finances, while Atiku has argued for measures to reduce the burden of high energy costs on households and businesses.
