2027: Atiku’s Promise to Reverse Fuel Subsidy Is Equivalent to APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket — Fayemi

Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s promise to restore fuel subsidy as politically comparable to the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 election.

Fayemi said Atiku’s position on subsidy could become a major issue in the 2027 presidential election, particularly as Nigerians continue to grapple with the economic consequences of the removal of the subsidy.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election and now a leading opposition figure, has repeatedly criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He has argued that the policy should be reversed as part of measures to reduce the economic burden on Nigerians.

Fayemi, however, questioned the political wisdom of making subsidy restoration a central campaign promise, arguing that it could create a significant disadvantage for Atiku.

He likened the proposal to the APC’s decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election, a move that generated considerable controversy and opposition from sections of the electorate.

According to Fayemi, the political consequences of such positions should not be underestimated as parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 contest.

The former governor’s comments come amid an increasingly competitive opposition landscape, with Atiku now seeking to consolidate support around a broader coalition challenging Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The debate over fuel subsidy remains one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria’s economic and political discourse. The subsidy was removed in May 2023 shortly after Tinubu assumed office, triggering a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributing to wider concerns about inflation and the cost of living.

Supporters of subsidy removal argue that ending the programme has freed government resources and encouraged investment in domestic refining, while critics maintain that Nigerians have borne the brunt of the policy through higher transportation, food and production costs.

Fayemi’s comparison adds a political dimension to the continuing subsidy debate, suggesting that Atiku’s promise could influence how voters assess his candidacy.

With the 2027 presidential election approaching, fuel pricing, economic reforms and the cost of living are expected to remain central issues in the campaigns of both the ruling party and opposition candidates.