Atiku Abubakar Defends Coalition Role, Critiques Subsidy Removal

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissed accusations that he has become an obstacle to the coalition's success, stating he was the one who initiated it. In an interview with BBC Hausa, he emphasized that most politicians involved in the coalition remain united despite some disagreements, specifically mentioning Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso as those who have left.

Atiku expressed optimism about the possibility of opposition politicians collaborating before the 2027 election. He criticized the Federal Government's management of the petrol subsidy removal, questioning the whereabouts of the savings intended for poverty alleviation and development.

Atiku stated he did not oppose the subsidy removal but demanded accountability for the funds, asserting that if elected, he would restore the subsidy and require those who misappropriated the money to refund it. He argued that the subsidy could have been removed without causing significant hardship if the savings had been properly utilized.