By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that United States President Donald Trump has given his blessing to his proposed plan to restore fuel subsidy in Nigeria if he wins the 2027 election.
The claim, made through his spokesman Phrank Shaibu on Sunday, has added a fresh layer in Atiku’s campaign rhetoric as he positions himself as the alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku framed his proposed policy as a “Production Subsidy”, distinct from the blanket subsidy removed by Tinubu in 2023, arguing that it would focus exclusively on supporting locally refined petroleum to lower pump prices for Nigerians.
“This is why my Production Subsidy is about putting money back into people’s pockets. Support what we produce and refine here, increase supply, monitor the price and make sure Nigerians feel the benefit at the pump,” Atiku stated.
His spokesman further asserted that the former Vice President’s position aligns with the Trump administration’s approach to energy policy. “CORAN is saying support domestic production. America understands the importance of supporting strategic energy production,” the statement read.
Atiku did not hold back in his criticism of President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, which has seen petrol prices skyrocket and inflation grip the nation.
He accused the current administration of hypocrisy, claiming it readily grants waivers and concessions to multinational oil companies while denying relief to ordinary citizens.
“Yet Tinubu attacks relief for ordinary Nigerians while his government understands perfectly well how to grant waivers, incentives and concessions to multinational oil companies and businesses close to his administration,” Atiku said.
“So why does intervention suddenly become bad economics when ordinary Nigerians are meant to benefit?” he queried.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the fuel subsidy question has become a defining issue. President Tinubu maintains removal was necessary to save the economy from bleeding trillions of naira.
Atiku promises a return through a targeted production-based model. Nigerians remain caught in the middle as pump prices continue to bite. Whether Trump’s alleged blessing translates into votes at the polls remains to be seen, but Atiku has clearly signalled that he will not back down from the subsidy debate.
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