Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his plan to restore a targeted fuel subsidy if elected, saying the policy would help reduce living costs and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

Atiku made the commitment in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, shortly after receiving the Osun State leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja.

He said his position on fuel subsidy had remained unchanged, arguing that Nigeria’s resources should be used to cushion the economic pressure faced by citizens.

According to him, the removal of subsidy has contributed to higher transport and food costs, making it increasingly difficult for households and businesses to cope with rising expenses.

He said his proposed subsidy would be targeted at providing relief to Nigerians rather than restoring what he described as an import racket.

Atiku said he wanted wages to regain their purchasing power, while farmers should be able to transport their produce without losing profits to high logistics costs.

He also pledged to support domestic production, lower energy costs and improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.

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The former vice president said the policy would seek to address the connection between rising fuel prices, transportation costs and food prices, which he said had placed additional pressure on households.

He further promised to make daily living more affordable and strengthen economic and physical security if given the opportunity to lead the country.

Atiku said the restoration of targeted subsidy would form part of his broader plan to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and build what he described as a better Nigeria.

He wrote, “On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it! A nation as blessed as ours has no business abandoning its citizens to hardship. Nigeria is rich enough to look after her own.

“I believe the wealth of a nation is not measured by how much government collects, but by how much the money in the pockets of its people can buy.

“I want wages to have value again. I want farmers to move produce without transport swallowing their profits. I want families to fill their baskets without emptying their pockets. I want businesses to produce, employ and prosper.

“That is why I will restore targeted subsidy and put purchasing power back in the hands of Nigerians.

“When fuel rises, transport rises. When transport rises, food rises. When food rises, families suffer.

“I will break that wretched chain that has defined our national life in the nearly four years of Tinubu’s presidency.

“I will support Nigerian production, reduce energy costs and restore purchasing power. I will not restore the import racket; I will restore relief.

“I restated this commitment when I received the Osun State leadership of the ADC in Abuja on Tuesday.

“I will make the naira in your pocket worth more, make daily living affordable again, and secure our people.

“Economic security. Physical security. A better life for every Nigerian. That is the Nigeria I intend to build. -AA”