Atiku pledges to restore fuel subsidy and tackle insecurity at Kebbi rally

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has committed to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and reinstating the fuel subsidy if he is elected president in the 2027 general elections. Atiku made these pledges on Thursday during the official launch of the party’s campaign in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State. He characterized the upcoming election as a referendum on the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging voters to choose between retaining the current government or supporting an alternative option.

The campaign rally served as the flag-off for the ADC’s activities in Kebbi State. Supporters gathered at the party’s secretariat to welcome Atiku and other senior party officials. In his speech, Atiku stressed that the upcoming vote would allow Nigerians to shape their political destiny while grappling with persistent issues of economic struggle and safety. He and his running mate criticized specific projects currently presented as achievements of the Tinubu administration, alleging that many of these initiatives were actually legacies inherited from the government of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Background

The ADC’s campaign strategy is centered on key socio-economic issues. Senator Austin Akobundu, the Director-General of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, stated that hunger, insecurity, and unemployment would be the primary themes of the party’s campaign. Akobundu commended party members for attending the rally despite what he described as intimidation tactics by the state government. The ADC National Chairman reinforced this sentiment, describing the party as a moving train that cannot be stopped by such pressures. He urged residents of Kebbi State to support Atiku for the presidency and Abubakar Malami for the governorship, along with other ADC candidates in the 2027 polls.

Security measures were significantly heightened in Birnin Kebbi ahead of Atiku’s arrival. Law enforcement officers were stationed in multiple areas of the state capital to ensure public order was maintained. The gathering finished without incident, as there were no accounts of assaults or damage to cars. This stands in contrast to allegations of violence that accompanied the party’s campaign activities in Sokoto State. The gathering came to a close when the ADC National Chairman handed the party banner to Abubakar Malami, thereby officially naming him the party's contender for the 2027 governorship race.

Why it matters

The pledges made by Atiku directly address two of the most pressing concerns for Nigerian citizens: the cost of living, specifically related to fuel prices, and personal safety. By promising to reverse the removal of the fuel subsidy, the ADC is positioning itself as an alternative for voters who feel the economic burden of the current administration. The focus on insecurity highlights the party’s intent to prioritize law and order in its policy agenda. The characterization of the 2027 election as a referendum suggests that the ADC intends to frame the contest not just as a choice of candidates, but as a judgment on the policies and performance of the Tinubu government. The peaceful nature of the Kebbi rally, despite heightened security and alleged intimidation, demonstrates the party’s ability to mobilize supporters in a key northern state.

What happens next

The ADC will continue its campaign activities across other states, with Abubakar Malami now formally campaigning as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi. The party plans to keep hunger, insecurity, and unemployment at the forefront of its messaging. As the 2027 general elections approach, the ADC will seek to expand its support base by emphasizing its proposed policies on security and economic relief, while continuing to challenge the narrative of the current administration’s achievements.