Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has said a government led by Peter Obi would reintroduce fuel subsidy if the party wins the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso made the statement during an interview on Tuesday while discussing fuel prices, subsidy removal and the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Asked whether the NDC would face difficulties campaigning in the North West because of the region’s interest in the return of fuel subsidy, Kwankwaso said the party would introduce its own form of subsidy...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
He explained that the proposed approach would focus on increasing domestic refining capacity and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to him, the government could invest in additional refineries where necessary, particularly to ensure that enough petrol is produced locally to meet the country’s needs.
Kwankwaso argued that increased domestic production could help Nigerians access petrol at what he described as a reasonable price.
He said the NDC would take measures aimed at reducing the cost of petroleum products and ensuring that Nigerians are not excessively burdened by fuel prices.
The former Kano State governor also criticised the manner in which Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in 2023.
Kwankwaso said the decision was implemented immediately without what he described as adequate consideration of the consequences for Nigerians and the wider economy.
The issue of fuel subsidy has remained one of the major economic and political debates in Nigeria since its removal in 2023.
The Tinubu administration has maintained that the previous subsidy regime was financially unsustainable, while opposition politicians and other critics have continued to debate its impact on household incomes, transportation costs and the wider economy.
Kwankwaso’s latest comments indicate that fuel pricing is likely to remain an important issue as political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential election.
Under the NDC arrangement, Obi is the presidential candidate while Kwankwaso is his running mate. The pair are expected to present their economic policies and proposed solutions to Nigerians as the election campaign gathers momentum.
Kwankwaso’s proposal, as stated in the interview, would not necessarily mean a return to the former petrol subsidy system. Rather, he described it as a different approach involving government intervention, increased domestic refining and measures designed to make fuel more affordable.
The proposal is therefore likely to become part of the broader debate over whether Nigeria should continue with market based fuel pricing or adopt government supported mechanisms to reduce the cost of petrol for consumers.
