The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that United States President Donald Trump supports his proposal to restore fuel subsidy in Nigeria if elected president in 2027.

Atiku, a former Vice President of Nigeria, said his proposed intervention would focus on supporting domestic production and refining, increasing fuel supply and ensuring that Nigerians benefit from lower prices at the pump.

He made the claim in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Phrank Shaibu, titled, “Atiku Boasts of Stakeholders, Trump Support on Fuel Subsidy.”

Atiku had previously pledged to reintroduce fuel subsidy if elected president, arguing that government intervention was necessary to reduce the burden of high energy costs on Nigerians.

Defending the proposal, the ADC candidate said his planned “Production Subsidy” would be designed to put money back into the pockets of Nigerians while encouraging domestic production.

“This is why my Production Subsidy is about putting money back into people’s pockets. Support what we produce and refine here, increase supply, monitor the price and make sure Nigerians feel the benefit at the pump,” he said.

Atiku also cited the position of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), which has consistently advocated stronger support for domestic refining and local petroleum production.

According to him, the United States also recognises the importance of supporting strategic energy production, arguing that such interventions should not be considered bad economics when they are targeted at helping ordinary citizens.

“CORAN is saying support domestic production. America understands the importance of supporting strategic energy production,” he said.

The former Vice President accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of opposing measures aimed at providing relief to Nigerians while granting what he described as waivers, incentives and concessions to multinational oil companies and businesses linked to the government.

“Yet Tinubu attacks relief for ordinary Nigerians while his government understands perfectly well how to grant waivers, incentives and concessions to multinational oil companies and businesses close to his administration,” Atiku said.

He questioned the rationale behind government intervention in favour of businesses while rejecting similar measures intended to cushion the impact of fuel prices on ordinary Nigerians.

“So why does intervention suddenly become bad economics when ordinary Nigerians are meant to benefit?” he asked.