2027: Cleric Warns Tinubu, Atiku, Other Politicians Against Empty Campaign Promises

By Onifade Samuel

A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar and former Special Adviser to two former governors of Kaduna State, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other politicians seeking office in the 2027 general elections to avoid making promises they cannot fulfil.

Maraya said politicians should be honest with Nigerians about the country’s economic realities instead of making unrealistic commitments simply to secure votes.

The cleric was reacting to calls from some political figures for the return of fuel subsidy, arguing that Nigeria’s current financial situation could not comfortably sustain the subsidy regime that existed in the past.

According to him, bringing back the subsidy would place a huge financial burden on the government and could divert funds needed for infrastructure and other areas of national development.

“Presidential candidates should always tell people the truth. They should not deceive Nigerians simply because they want to win votes. God does not like lies and deception,” Maraya said.

He estimated that Nigeria consumes between 47 million and 64 million litres of petrol daily, with the total cost of a litre, including refining, transportation, insurance and customs charges, put at about ₦1,218.

Maraya said maintaining a subsidy under such conditions could cost the government approximately ₦52.3 billion every day, about ₦1.6 trillion monthly and more than ₦19 trillion annually.

He noted that Nigeria’s 2026 budget is ₦68.3 trillion, urging politicians to consider the financial implications of their campaign promises before making them.

Rather than returning to the old subsidy system, Maraya advocated the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s existing refineries and the construction of additional ones to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

He stressed that Nigeria needs leaders who will be transparent about the nation’s economic challenges and make difficult but responsible decisions in the interest of the country.

Maraya warned that politicians who make promises they cannot deliver may eventually be forced to explain to Nigerians why those commitments could not be fulfilled.