Dumebi Kachikwu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has pledged to restore the fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027. He criticized successive administrations for mismanaging the subsidy regime and argued that ordinary Nigerians should not bear the brunt of the failures of a few who abused the system.
Kachikwu emphasized that a responsible government should prosecute those who diverted subsidy funds rather than imposing hardships on citizens through rising costs of living. He contended that as an oil-producing nation, Nigeria has no justification for abandoning subsidies while citizens continue to struggle under economic hardship. He stated, “Poor Nigerians are paying the price of our inefficiencies. What should have been done was to clean up the subsidy process and punish offenders, not remove it.”
Addressing the removal of the subsidy, Kachikwu dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu initiated the policy change, asserting that the subsidy ended under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who failed to make provisions for it in the 2023 budget. He maintained that Tinubu merely announced what he inherited upon taking office.
In addition to his stance on the fuel subsidy, Kachikwu sent a direct message to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other politicians allegedly eyeing the ADC as a platform for the 2027 election. He warned them to “keep off,” declaring that the party will not serve as a vehicle for recycled politicians. He insisted, “Atiku should go and rest,” and emphasized that the ADC is not available for those who have had repeated chances to serve but failed Nigerians.
Kachikwu further accused certain politicians of attempting to hijack the party from those who have labored to build it. He vowed to resist such efforts and announced his intention to contest again on the party’s platform in 2027.
The ADC hopeful also addressed Nigeria’s political crisis, attributing it to tribalism, religion, and regionalism, which have hindered national unity since independence. He argued that any future president must prioritize building cohesion, tackling injustice, and promoting meritocracy. He added, “When you take care of everybody, you take care of your people. That is the only path to national progress.”
