Nigeria’s former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is “competing with thieves” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the declaration in a video shared on his social media platform on Tuesday night.
“We are competing with thieves. They stole the election. Now they have stolen the economy. They have stolen everything,” he said while addressing some of his supporters.
The ADC presidential hopeful insisted that he would restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
While reacting to comments attributed to his spokesman, Mr. Paul Ibe, suggesting that an Atiku administration would restore fuel subsidy and later remove it, he said, “So many Nigerians have been calling me to say that one of my aides had contradicted me in my policy statement as far as subsidy is concerned.
“I want to repeat categorically that what I said I will return subsidy, I will. Nigeria is rich enough to look after the welfare of its citizens.
“Therefore, let it be clearly stated that he was not speaking on my own authority because the removal of subsidy has driven more Nigerians into poverty than at any other time.
“And the fundamental responsibility of the government is the welfare. Two, I will make sure we secure this country.”
President Bola Tinubu had previously dismissed Atiku’s proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”
Atiku, however, reiterated that his position was based on the need to protect Nigerians from the economic hardship he said followed the removal of the subsidy.
