ABUJA, NIGERIA — African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has said he would withdraw from Atiku Abubakar’s ticket and campaign for President Bola Tinubu if petrol sells for ₦600 per litre.
Amaechi made the statement on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed fuel prices, economic hardship and the political climate ahead of the 2027 general election.
“If fuel comes down to N600 tomorrow, I will withdraw as vice president for Atiku and I will campaign for Tinubu,” Amaechi said.
Fuel Price As Policy Test
Amaechi’s statement placed petrol pricing at the centre of his assessment of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies.
Petrol pricing has remained a major issue in Nigeria since the Federal Government removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023, a decision that led to a sharp increase in pump prices and contributed to higher transportation and living costs.
The Tinubu administration has defended the subsidy removal as part of its broader economic reforms, while opposition figures have proposed different forms of government intervention to reduce the burden on consumers.
Atiku’s Alternative Proposal
Amaechi is the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting the 2027 presidential election under the ADC.
Atiku has proposed a targeted intervention for locally refined petroleum products, arguing that government support could make petrol more affordable without returning to the previous system of subsidising imported fuel.
Amaechi previously explained that the proposal would involve providing cheaper crude to domestic refiners, enabling them to produce and sell petroleum products at lower prices.
The proposal has become part of the wider political debate over whether Nigeria should maintain market-based fuel pricing or introduce government support to lower pump prices.
Amaechi Speaks On Tinubu
Despite his position within the opposition ADC, Amaechi said he did not personally harbour hatred towards Tinubu.
“Nobody hates Tinubu. I love Tinubu, he knows,” he said.
He also expressed his view that Tinubu would not attempt to manipulate the 2027 presidential election.
“Tinubu will not rig this election because there might not be a Nigeria if he rigs this election,” Amaechi said.
He attributed his concern about the political situation to economic hardship, adding that Nigerians were frustrated by the cost of living.
Economic Hardship At Centre Of Debate
Amaechi’s comments came amid continuing political arguments over fuel prices, food costs, transportation and household expenses.
The ₦600 figure he mentioned represents a substantial reduction from petrol prices currently reported at many filling stations. Recent reports have recorded pump prices above ₦1,000 per litre, although prices vary by location and filling station.
The disagreement over fuel pricing has increasingly become part of the political debate ahead of the 2027 election, with the Tinubu administration defending its economic reforms and opposition politicians proposing alternative approaches.
Amaechi Intensifies Political Activities
The ADC vice-presidential candidate has stepped up his political activities as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
He has urged ADC members to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and take the party’s campaign beyond Abuja and major political gatherings.
Amaechi has also continued to criticise aspects of the Tinubu administration while campaigning alongside Atiku.
His latest statement, however, introduces a specific condition under which he says he would abandon the ADC ticket and campaign for the incumbent president: a reduction in petrol prices to ₦600 per litre.
The statement adds fuel pricing to the broader political debate over how the next administration should address the cost of living and the future of Nigeria’s petroleum pricing policy.
