Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has renewed his promise to restore petrol subsidy, reopen Nigeria’s land borders for legitimate commercial activities and tackle insecurity if elected president in 2027.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the promises on Wednesday during the official flag-off of his presidential campaign in Sokoto State, where thousands of supporters gathered to receive him and other party leaders.
Addressing the crowd, the former vice-president said his proposed administration would prioritise economic recovery, security and cross-border trade, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where communities depend on commercial activities with neighbouring countries.
“I will open all the land borders for our people to do legitimate business with our brothers across the border. We will restore subsidy back into our fuel and do everything humanly possible to bring an end to insecurity so as to ensure our people can go back to our farms,” Atiku declared.
His latest commitment reinforces his earlier position on petrol subsidy, which he has repeatedly promised to restore despite criticism from the Federal Government.
The former vice-president also urged Nigerians to support the ADC in the 2027 presidential election, calling on voters to protect their ballots against manipulation.
“We should all come out, vote massively, protect our votes, and make sure our votes are counted and announced. We will not allow what happened in the last elections to happen anymore,” he said.
Subsidy removal, border policy under scrutiny
Atiku’s promise to restore petrol subsidy comes more than three years after President Bola Tinubu announced its removal during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
The decision ended the previous petrol subsidy arrangement and triggered significant increases in petrol prices, transportation costs and the prices of goods and services.
Atiku has argued that government intervention remains necessary to reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.
In August 2026, he reiterated his position, declaring that he would restore subsidy if elected. He subsequently faced criticism from the Presidency, which demanded explanations about the financial and legal framework for implementing the proposal.
The Federal Government has also challenged his promise to reopen Nigeria’s land borders.
In August, the Presidency maintained that the country’s major land borders had already been reopened for legitimate trade, citing previous reopening exercises involving Seme, Idiroko, Illela and other crossings.
It also referenced the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya corridors in Kebbi State in February 2026.
However, the government acknowledged that some border areas remain subject to security restrictions and controlled operations because of insurgency and other cross-border threats.
Mark, Amaechi, Tambuwal address Sokoto rally
Speaking at the rally, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, described the turnout as evidence of growing support for the party in Sokoto.
He said the large number of supporters who lined the route from the airport to the campaign venue demonstrated the party’s grassroots presence.
Mark also criticised the Tinubu administration over economic hardship and insecurity, arguing that the country required a different approach to governance.
Atiku’s running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, urged Nigerians to assess political parties based on economic conditions rather than ethnic and religious considerations.
“Today, there is no religion in our politics; there is no ethnicity. It is about the cost of living,” Amaechi said.
He challenged Nigerians to compare their living conditions under previous administrations with the current economic situation.
Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also urged voters to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Tambuwal identified insecurity, food inflation, poverty and infrastructure deficits as major issues requiring urgent attention.
“It is not about supporting our own leaders. It is about delivering leadership to this country,” he said.
The rally also featured the presentation of the ADC flag to the party’s Sokoto governorship candidate, Muhammad Manir Dan’Iya, by Mark.
Rally holds amid political tension
The campaign flag-off came against the backdrop of disagreements between the ADC and the Sokoto State Government over preparations for the event.
The party had previously alleged attempts to frustrate its activities, including restrictions affecting its supporters and campaign arrangements.
The controversy prompted the ADC to postpone the original October 31 date to November 4, citing planning and coordination considerations.
Atiku arrived at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport shortly after 1pm on Wednesday, accompanied by members of his campaign team.
According to reports from the event, the presidential delegation took nearly four hours to reach the rally venue, less than 10 kilometres from the airport, as supporters gathered along the route.
The Sokoto rally marks another stage in the ADC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with economic policy, security and the cost of living emerging as central issues in the contest.reopen Nigeria’s land borders for legitimate commercial activities and tackle insecurity if elected president in 2027.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the promises on Wednesday during the official flag-off of his presidential campaign in Sokoto State, where thousands of supporters gathered to receive him and other party leaders.
Addressing the crowd, the former vice-president said his proposed administration would prioritise economic recovery, security and cross-border trade, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where communities depend on commercial activities with neighbouring countries.
“I will open all the land borders for our people to do legitimate business with our brothers across the border. We will restore subsidy back into our fuel and do everything humanly possible to bring an end to insecurity so as to ensure our people can go back to our farms,” Atiku declared.
His latest commitment reinforces his earlier position on petrol subsidy, which he has repeatedly promised to restore despite criticism from the Federal Government.
The former vice-president also urged Nigerians to support the ADC in the 2027 presidential election, calling on voters to protect their ballots against manipulation.
“We should all come out, vote massively, protect our votes, and make sure our votes are counted and announced. We will not allow what happened in the last elections to happen anymore,” he said.
Subsidy removal, border policy under scrutiny
Atiku’s promise to restore petrol subsidy comes more than three years after President Bola Tinubu announced its removal during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
The decision ended the previous petrol subsidy arrangement and triggered significant increases in petrol prices, transportation costs and the prices of goods and services.
Atiku has argued that government intervention remains necessary to reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.
In August 2026, he reiterated his position, declaring that he would restore subsidy if elected. He subsequently faced criticism from the Presidency, which demanded explanations about the financial and legal framework for implementing the proposal.
The Federal Government has also challenged his promise to reopen Nigeria’s land borders.
In August, the Presidency maintained that the country’s major land borders had already been reopened for legitimate trade, citing previous reopening exercises involving Seme, Idiroko, Illela and other crossings.
It also referenced the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya corridors in Kebbi State in February 2026.
However, the government acknowledged that some border areas remain subject to security restrictions and controlled operations because of insurgency and other cross-border threats.
Mark, Amaechi, Tambuwal address Sokoto rally
Speaking at the rally, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, described the turnout as evidence of growing support for the party in Sokoto.
He said the large number of supporters who lined the route from the airport to the campaign venue demonstrated the party’s grassroots presence.
Mark also criticised the Tinubu administration over economic hardship and insecurity, arguing that the country required a different approach to governance.
Atiku’s running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, urged Nigerians to assess political parties based on economic conditions rather than ethnic and religious considerations.
“Today, there is no religion in our politics; there is no ethnicity. It is about the cost of living,” Amaechi said.
He challenged Nigerians to compare their living conditions under previous administrations with the current economic situation.
Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also urged voters to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Tambuwal identified insecurity, food inflation, poverty and infrastructure deficits as major issues requiring urgent attention.
“It is not about supporting our own leaders. It is about delivering leadership to this country,” he said.
The rally also featured the presentation of the ADC flag to the party’s Sokoto governorship candidate, Muhammad Manir Dan’Iya, by Mark.
Rally holds amid political tension
The campaign flag-off came against the backdrop of disagreements between the ADC and the Sokoto State Government over preparations for the event.
The party had previously alleged attempts to frustrate its activities, including restrictions affecting its supporters and campaign arrangements.
The controversy prompted the ADC to postpone the original October 31 date to November 4, citing planning and coordination considerations.
Atiku arrived at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport shortly after 1pm on Wednesday, accompanied by members of his campaign team.
According to reports from the event, the presidential delegation took nearly four hours to reach the rally venue, less than 10 kilometres from the airport, as supporters gathered along the route.
The Sokoto rally marks another stage in the ADC’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with economic policy, security and the cost of living emerging as central issues in the contest.
