EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Atiku Abubakar’s Fuel Subsidy Objective Simply Means Cheaper Energy, Lower Transportation Costs & Relief For Ordinary Nigerians – Segun Sky.

Atiku Abubakar with Segun Sky.

As the 2027 presidential elections in Nigeria draws closer by the day, “News PlatformNG” is examining all the political heavyweights especially those justling to occupy the big seat in Aso Rock as president and the first amongst them is ADC presidential candidate and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubabar, who, arguably is one of the strongest on the list of the frontliners.

One of his allies in the UK and Island, Mr. Segun Akinyemi, aka Segun Sky, took time to speak with us on the ambition of Atiku Abubakar to be president of Africa’s richest Black nation, and his opinions are here presented.

(Q) . Mayy we meet you properly please?

Ans. I am Segun Akinyemi, popularly known as Segun Sky. I am from Modakeke, Ife East LGA, Osun State. I studied in Nigeria and the UK. I have also lived in both countries for the last three decades.

(Q) What do you do sir?

Ans. I am an entrepreneur with specialities in luxury, entertainment and lifestyle. I am also a media analyst and political stalwart.

(Q) Nigeria is celebrating 66th independence anniversary and I am congratulating you but the question is, is there anything to celebrate about Nigeria at 66th with the way things are in the country after 66yrs post-independence?

Ans. Well, there are things to celebrate, but regrettably, there are many other areas that are nothing to write home about. We should not be where we are at all. We are rich as a country but poor as a people, and this is due to the failure of successive governments.

(Q) Do you think that with the way things are in this country today with the massive deposit of resources, both Natural and human, that Nigeria is redeemable and how will the redemption happen for Nigeria in your opinion?

Ans. Yes, I believe it is redeemable if there is competent leadership and the political will to do the right thing. As long as we shun ethno-religious sentiments and elect leaders based on their proven track record and competence, we can get it right. Appointments into public service should be based on merit rather than favouritism. This will eliminate godfatherism and nepotism, and I believe it will allow optimal functionality.

(Q) Through my little research on you, I found out you are a member of the ADC, meaning you are a supporter of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar? So, whom amongst the presidential candidates do you think have the magic wand to turn around the fortunes of the Country with the rot in the system today?

Ans. Yes, that’s correct. I am a member of ADC and a supporter of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar. I left the PDP after 25 years of loyalty and joined ADC last year, in August. I was subsequently appointed the Chairman of ADC UK & Northern Ireland.

I believe in the ambition of Atiku because of his track record and leadership qualities. It is well documented that Atiku’s experience in the public sector and private sector was the reason he was made to lead the economic policy team under the Obasanjo administration and was tasked with head-hunting the best technocrats who revitalised our economy during that era.

I believe he has all it takes to turn around our economy because, as a nation, Nigeria needs to be run as a profitable business. Atiku is credited as one of the highest employers of labour in Nigeria, with a workforce of over three thousand staff. I believe his track record of having run many successful businesses will be handy and beneficial in running such a complex economy like ours.

(Q) Tinubu, tasted, Atiku tasted as Vice President, and Obi not tasted at either of the both positions, i.e, president or Vice, but as a governor though. Why are you confident that Atiku would do better than Tinubu and Obi as President?

Ans. Because Atiku has the experience at the presidential level. A Vice President to the most successful civilian administration that Nigeria has ever had under Obasanjo is the equivalent of a president today.

Secondly, Atiku is a detribalised Nigerian who values national cohesion and peaceful coexistence. The other candidates, to me, are more regional candidates and mostly derive their followership from those pursuing an ethnic agenda.

(Q) Now, there are Donald Duke, Sowore and other presidential candidates, who amongst them would you have chosen if Atiku wasn’t in the race?

I would have chosen Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State if Atiku wasn’t in the race.

(Q) Are you worried about the opinion of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the integrity of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and are you amongst those who believe Atiku can do it with his former boss’s endorsement?

Ans. No, I am not. President Obasanjo, obviously one of the greatest political figures to come out of Africa, is human and he’s not infallible, so his opinion should not be treated as one that cannot be faulted.

Atiku is the most investigated politician ever in the last twenty years without being found culpable or charged to court for any crimes. His perception of corruption is mostly from unsubstantiated allegations and rumours sponsored by political opponents.

Atiku has repeatedly challenged any Nigerian who has evidence of corruption against him to come forward and present it to the security agencies.

(Q) Tell me one thing Akiku would do as President that these other people cannot do for Nigeria?

Ans. Atiku will unite Nigerians deeply and ensure that no one is judged based on ethnicity, religion, creed or tribe. Atiku will make Nigeria a proud nation and totally wipe out discrimination and marginalisation.

Atiku will also turn the Nigerian economy around and ensure we become a productive, self-sustaining and prosperous nation. Nigerians will become rich citizens in their own country and live a comfortable quality of life.

(Q) Atiku Abubakar says he would reverse the removal of the fuel subsidy already implemented by the Tinubu administration. Do you not think that bringing back the subsidy would not return the corruption that the petroleum industry is known for?

Ans. I think the real question is not simply whether subsidy is good or bad; it is how it is structured, funded and administered.

The old subsidy regime had serious problems, including allegations of fraud, opaque payments and smuggling. Those lessons must not be ignored. But Atiku’s current proposal is not necessarily a proposal to simply return to the old import-subsidy arrangement. He has spoken about supporting domestic production and refining so that Nigerians can have cheaper fuel while reducing dependence on imported petroleum.

My position is that any intervention must have a clear spending ceiling, independent auditing, transparency and mechanisms that prevent diversion. If government can subsidise production transparently and the benefit actually reaches consumers, then I don’t believe we should reject the idea simply because previous governments abused subsidy.

The objective should be cheaper energy, lower transportation costs and relief for ordinary Nigerians, without recreating the loopholes of the past.

(Q) What would Atiku do differently to tackle this high level of hunger and poverty in Nigeria?

Ans. For me, the answer is that Nigeria needs to move from an economy where government intervention is constantly trying to cushion poverty to one that creates enough productive economic activity to reduce poverty sustainably.

Atiku has consistently emphasised private-sector-led growth, agriculture, manufacturing, MSMEs, job creation and economic restructuring. His earlier policy proposals included diversifying away from excessive dependence on oil and giving states greater economic responsibility.

I would expect an Atiku administration to concentrate on food production, power, transportation, manufacturing, small businesses and employment. You cannot permanently fight poverty by simply giving people handouts. You fight poverty by making it possible for people to produce, earn, invest and prosper.

And the present situation demonstrates why this matters. The World Bank says poverty remains widespread and that growth has not yet translated sufficiently into improved household welfare.

(Q) You are a Yoruba man and it is a wonder that you supporting an Hausa/Fulani man against your Yoruba brother and president, President Tinubu. Why are you supporting Atiku Against Tinubu?

Ans. Because I am Nigerian before I am Yoruba, and my political choices are not determined by ethnicity.

I don’t believe that being Yoruba automatically means I must support every Yoruba politician, just as being from another ethnic group does not automatically make someone unacceptable to me.

I respect President Tinubu, and I believe he earned his place in Nigerian politics.

I have the right to assess any politician based on policies, performance, leadership philosophy and what I believe is in the national interest.

Atiku is not my choice because he is Hausa or Fulani. He is my choice for the political and economic arguments I believe he is presenting.

If we start saying a Yoruba person must support a Yoruba candidate regardless of policy, we are actually strengthening the very ethnic politics that has kept Nigeria divided.

I don’t vote for someone’s tribe. I support a political vision.

(Q) Why do you think Atiku is more qualified to be president at this time?

Ans. Based on experience relevant to the presidency, Atiku brings an unusually long record in public administration, business and national politics.

He served as Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 and previously had a long career in the Nigeria Customs Service before entering full-time business and politics.

He has therefore experienced government at the highest level, understands the federal structure, has substantial private-sector experience and has been involved in economic policy debates for decades.

What attracts me is particularly his long-standing argument for devolution of powers, stronger states, private-sector-led growth and economic restructuring.

I have thoroughly assessed presidential experience, economic understanding and knowledge of how the Nigerian federation operates, and I believe there is a serious case for considering him.

 

(Q) The opinions you share, are they the opinions of Nigerian’s in diaspora?

Ans. They are my own opinions, informed by my interactions with Nigerians both at home and abroad.

I would never claim to speak for every Nigerian in the diaspora because the diaspora is not a political bloc. Nigerians abroad have different political opinions, just as Nigerians at home do.

What I can say is that Nigerians in the diaspora are deeply interested in what happens in Nigeria. Many of us continue to invest, support families, contribute to communities and engage with Nigerian politics.

So when I speak, I speak as a Nigerian in the diaspora who has followed Nigerian politics for many years, not as the spokesperson for every Nigerian living outside the country.

(Q) If Atiku Abubakar is eventually elected as President, what would you advise his first priorities should be immediately after assuming office?

Ans. I would advise him not to spend his first months settling political scores. Nigerians are tired of politics that consumes government while ordinary people remain in hardship.

His immediate priorities should be: First — reduce the cost of living. Food, fuel, transportation and electricity must receive immediate attention.

Second — security. Government cannot grow the economy effectively when farmers cannot safely farm, businesses cannot operate and communities live under the fear of kidnapping and terrorism.

Third — power and productive infrastructure.

Nigeria cannot industrialise without reliable electricity, efficient transportation and functional logistics.

Fourth — jobs and private-sector investment.

Government should create the environment; businesses should create the majority of sustainable jobs.

Fifth — food production.

Agriculture must move from subsistence farming towards commercially productive agriculture, with security, storage, processing, irrigation and access to markets.

Sixth — institutional reform and accountability.

If Atiku talks about restructuring and devolution, he should begin the process of giving states and local institutions greater responsibility while strengthening transparency and accountability.

And finally, I would tell him something very simple:

Don’t spend your first year proving that the previous government was wrong. Spend it proving to Nigerians that government can work better.

Nigeria does not need another administration whose greatest achievement is explaining why the previous administration failed. Nigerians want to see cheaper food, safer communities, more jobs, better electricity and more money in their pockets.

Segun Sky Akinyemi (Steven Olusegun Akinyemi) is a seasoned Nigerian and UK entrepreneur, communications expert, and political figure with over two decades of experience spanning media, advertising, public relations, and political mobilization. 

A Diploma holder in Advertising and Promotions Management from the Buckinghamshire New University UK, his career trajectory reflects leadership roles across Nigerian and British enterprises, culminating in successful entrepreneurial ventures such as De-Sky Multimedia, The Mono Channel, and De-Sky Luxury UK.

Politically, Akinyemi has been a pivotal actor in the PDP’s UK diaspora initiatives from early community organizing to his last role as Caretaker Chairman of PDP UK (South West Zone) and past participation in the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (UK).

After twenty three years of dedicated service,commitment and loyalty to the PDP, Akinyemi resigned from the party in July 2025 and pitched his tent with the African Democratic Congress ADC.

He was consequently appointed as the Chairman of the ADC in the United Kingdom and Ireland in August 2025. 

Highly regarded for his dedication to service, philanthropy, and principled leadership, Segun Sky embodies a professional narrative defined by enthusiasm, loyalty, integrity, and relentless hard work all contributing to his influential public and entrepreneurial footprint.

Nicknamed “Segun Sky”, he is widely recognised in media and industry circles for his PR and entertainment leadership roles. 

An Independent Publicist, Media Analyst, Political & Entertainment Analyst, and Showbiz Impresario with a penchant for luxury lifestyle curation.

Political Engagement: People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Member from 1999 – 2025.

PDP UK – South West Caucus

Founding Member (2001), alongside being a founding member of the “Ayo Fayose Movement”

Appointed Caretaker Chairman, PDP UK South West Zone (2023–2025)

PDP Presidential Campaign Council (UK) – Member (2022)

Chairman African Democratic Congress (ADC) UK and Ireland ( Current)

Core Attributes

Enthusiasm – Known for dynamic engagement and positive energy across media, politics, and business sectors.

Loyalty – Long-standing allegiance to PDP, with notable collaborative efforts that span across generations of leadership.

Integrity – His consistent political and philanthropic involvement reflects trustworthiness and ethical dedication.

Hard Work – Multiplies efforts across multiple ventures, constantly launching new platforms and staying actively involved since 1999.

Credited with being a very loyal party man active in fundraising and the unity of the PDP diaspora community.

Professional Experience & Entrepreneurship

Wathom Entertainment Company Ltd (Nigeria)

Client Service Executive (1999–2000)

Celebrity Mirror Magazine (Nigeria)Head of Special Projects (2000–2001)

Cadogan Software Ltd (UK)

Head of Sales and Marketing (2001–2002)

The Entertainer Magazine (UK)

Associate Advertising Manager (2002–2004)

Crystals Magazine (UK)

Advertising and Marketing Executive (2005–2006)

De‑Sky Multimedia (UK) – Founder (2006–present)

Operates as a PR and entertainment communications outfit; he is described as an Independent Publicist and Entertainment Mogul 

The Mono Channel (Music of Nigerian Origin) – Founder (2006–present)

De‑Sky Luxury UK – Founder (2023–present)

Smartcash Fx (WA) Ltd – Founder (2024–present)

Akinyemi is a family oriented man with children.