Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has promised to restore fuel subsidy, reopen Nigeria’s land borders for legitimate trade and tackle insecurity if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the promises on Wednesday during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto, which attracted thousands of supporters. He said his administration would prioritise security, economic recovery and cross-border trade, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where many communities depend on commercial activities with neighbouring countries.
The former vice-president pledged to reopen all land borders for legitimate business and restore fuel subsidy to ease the burden on Nigerians. He also promised to address insecurity to enable farmers to return safely to their farms. Atiku urged Nigerians to participate in the 2027 elections by voting for the ADC and protecting their votes to ensure they are properly counted. He warned against electoral manipulation, saying the party would not accept a repeat of what he described as irregularities in previous elections.
The ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, said the large turnout at the campaign rally showed that residents of Sokoto were ready for political change. Mark disclosed that the delegation spent more than three hours travelling from the airport to the rally venue, a journey of less than 10 kilometres, because of the large crowd. He described Atiku and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, as the leadership team capable of addressing the country’s security and economic challenges.
Also speaking, Amaechi urged Nigerians to judge the President Bola Tinubu administration based on its handling of the economy and the rising cost of living rather than religious or ethnic considerations. Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also called on Nigerians to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Tambuwal accused the Tinubu administration of failing to address insecurity, poverty, hunger and infrastructure challenges. He urged voters to prioritise effective leadership over political alliances and regional interests.
At the event, Mark presented the ADC flag to the party’s Sokoto State governorship candidate, Muhammad Manir Dan’Iya. Atiku’s campaign promises come amid continued debate over the removal of petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration in May 2023. The former vice-president has repeatedly promised to restore the subsidy if elected, while proposing targeted support for locally refined petroleum products.
However, the APC Presidential Campaign Council has questioned how the proposed subsidy restoration would be funded and implemented. The Federal Government has also disputed Atiku’s claim that Nigeria’s land borders remain closed, maintaining that several major border points have been reopened for trade.
