Atiku Is Clear Leader, His Subsidy Return Promise Puts People First — Kenneth Okonkwo
The spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the country’s “clear leader”, praising his economic record and his promise to restore petrol subsidy.
Okonkwo, a former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson, made the remarks in a post on his X account on Friday.
“Atiku is now the clear leader whom other candidates are following in every important national discourse,” he wrote.
Okonkwo, who previously served as spokesperson for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, was appointed Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in July following Atiku’s emergence as the ADC’s presidential candidate.
Defending Atiku’s record in office, Okonkwo said the former Vice President helped build Nigeria’s strongest economy while serving as deputy to former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
“As the head of the economic team, between 1999 and 2007, and as the VP of Nigeria, he built the strongest economy so far for Nigeria. They paid subsidy and paid off our international debt,” he said.
He also described Atiku as “humane and humble,” saying his proposal to bring back subsidy reflects a commitment to prioritising citizens’ welfare.
“His promise to bring back subsidy is a reflection of his policy of putting people and their welfare first,” he said.
The comments come amid renewed debate over petrol prices after the Federal Government announced a 30-day petrol discount through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited this week.
Atiku had criticised the measure as temporary relief that would not address underlying cost-of-living pressures, proposing instead production support for locally refined petrol.
The Federal Government has questioned the legal and fiscal basis of Atiku’s proposal.
Okonkwo urged Nigerians to support Atiku, describing him as a patriot who should be elected “for the security and welfare of all Nigerians.”
