Malami backs return of fuel subsidy, cites worsening hardship

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate in Kebbi State, Abubakar Malami, has backed the restoration of fuel subsidy, saying it should be among the immediate measures to address worsening economic hardship in the Northwest.

Malami said the removal of the subsidy had increased pressure on households in the region and contributed to the rising cost of living.

He made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while signing the Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031 alongside other governorship candidates from the region.

“We, the ADC Governorship Candidates of the seven Northwest States, hereby declare our total support for the promise made by the ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to restore the subsidy as one of the immediate steps to halt the further slide of our people into abject poverty,” he said.

The ADC governorship candidates from the seven Northwest states called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy had worsened economic hardship in the region.

“The expected benefits of the subsidy removal had not translated into improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians,” they said.

They also linked the economic hardship to rising hunger and other challenges facing residents across the region.