I’ll Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected President — Dumebi Kachikwu

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 elections, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has vowed to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that it is unjust for ordinary Nigerians to suffer due to the government’s inability to manage the system effectively.

In a wide-ranging interview, Kachikwu criticized what he described as elite sabotage of the ADC, warning political figures like Atiku Abubakar and others planning to hijack the party ahead of 2027 to “look elsewhere,” stating bluntly:

“There is no room for Atiku in the ADC. He should go and rest. He’s had his chance and failed to rescue Nigerians from poverty and pain.”

“If You Take Care of Everybody, You Take Care of Your People”

On his vision for national leadership, Kachikwu said Nigeria’s persistent failure stems from foundational flaws inherited from colonial rule.

“The British left us with a banana peel. They gave us a geographical expression, not a country. From the beginning, we saw ourselves through the lenses of tribe, tongue, religion, and region—not as a nation.”

Kachikwu believes any meaningful progress must begin with national cohesion, healing deep divisions worsened by recent elections.

“If I were President Tinubu, I would have focused on healing the nation. That election was one of the most divisive in Nigeria’s history, but instead of uniting the country, he continued the same pattern of nepotism.”

He promised, if elected, to address all forms of inequity, injustice, and systemic imbalance across the nation.

“We must sit at a round table and have the difficult conversations. The problem is not addressing these issues. Each president rewards his people because the previous one did. That cycle must end.”

Fuel Subsidy: “Oil-Producing Nations Should Subsidize Fuel”

Addressing the contentious issue of subsidy removal, Kachikwu criticized how the policy was handled and pledged to reinstate it if elected.

“Any oil-producing nation should be providing fuel subsidies to her citizens. It’s wrong that poor Nigerians pay the price for our government’s failure.”

He clarified that the removal of the subsidy was actually initiated by President Buhari, not Tinubu:

“Tinubu didn’t remove the fuel subsidy. Buhari did, by not making budgetary provision for it. Tinubu only announced it. But either way, we handled it poorly. We should have gone after the abusers, not punish the people.”

2027 and the ADC: “The Party is Not for Failed Politicians”

Kachikwu accused seasoned politicians from other parties of trying to hijack the ADC to pursue their ambitions after failing Nigerians repeatedly.

“These are people who’ve been governors, ministers, vice presidents. They’re a crowd of ‘formers’. They have nothing new to offer. We can’t ask those who destroyed Nigeria to now save Nigeria.”

Despite internal challenges, including protracted legal battles, Kachikwu insists he remains fully active in the party and will contest again as the ADC’s presidential candidate in 2027.

“I’m not afraid of them. They’ll realize ADC is not a dirty platform for their style of politics. Let them go and register their own party.”

On Southern Unity and Atiku’s Ambition

Kachikwu reiterated that the 2027 presidential race should remain within the South, citing fairness and political balance.

“When it was the North’s turn, the South respected that. Now it’s our turn. If anyone wants to challenge Tinubu, it should be a Southerner. Atiku should step aside.”

New Nigeria, New Vision

On how he would govern differently, Kachikwu emphasized inclusive leadership, national dialogue, and merit-based appointments, challenging the current norm of regional favoritism.

“We must stop governing for a few privileged people. Once you take care of everybody, your own people are included in that. Let’s stop this ‘our people first’ mentality.”

Kachikwu remains committed to what he calls a “bold, fresh direction” for Nigeria.

“We need new ideas. Not recycled failures. Nigeria deserves a new lease of life.”

As Nigeria inches toward another critical election cycle, Kachikwu is making it clear: he intends to be on the ballot, and he’s not stepping aside for the old political elite.