Atiku Abubakar's Fuel Subsidy Gamble for 2027 Election

Daniel Bwala, who serves as the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, commented on Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambitions for the 2027 election. Bwala indicated that Atiku, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is taking a significant risk by promising to reinstate the fuel subsidy, suggesting that this election could be Atiku's final opportunity to secure the presidency.

Bwala expressed that Atiku's approach is rooted in a populist campaign strategy, stating, “Since 2027 is likely to be his last chance to seek the office of the president, he decided to gamble on the populist rhetoric of ‘I will bring back the fuel subsidy.’” He cautioned that to effectively run a populist campaign, Atiku must first ensure he has the support of the people, highlighting the importance of popularity in political strategy.