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Obi Challenges Tinubu’s Fuel Policy, Backs Return of Subsidy
Obi Challenges Tinubu’s Fuel Policy, Backs Return of Subsidy
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says he would restore and retain the fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, insisting that the problem with the policy is the corruption surrounding its implementation.
Obi says his position on subsidy has remained consistent, arguing that rather than abolishing the scheme, government should eliminate the corruption associated with it and ensure that its benefits reach Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu declared that “fuel subsidy is gone” during his May 29, 2023 inauguration, describing the regime as increasingly unsustainable and saying resources should instead be redirected to infrastructure and other public needs.
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The NDC candidate also said he would personally take charge of his administration and reduce corruption, arguing that leadership must prevent public officials and their families from becoming involved in the diversion of government resources.
October 06, () – Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy policy, declaring that he would restore the subsidy if elected President in 2027 while eliminating the corruption he says has undermined the scheme.
Obi made the declaration during an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, reiterating his position that fuel subsidy itself is not the fundamental problem but the corruption associated with its administration.
“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” Obi said.
Asked whether he would bring back the subsidy regime if elected, the former Anambra State governor answered in the affirmative, but stressed that it would be operated differently.
“Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” he said.
The position places Obi directly at odds with one of the defining economic policies of the Tinubu administration..
The subsidy issue has remained one of the most contentious aspects of Nigeria’s economic debate since its removal in 2023, with its consequences reflected in the price of petrol, transportation and other goods and services.
Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, immediately after taking the oath of office, declaring: “The fuel subsidy is gone.”
The administration subsequently defended the decision as necessary to end what it described as an increasingly costly and unsustainable system and redirect public funds to infrastructure, education, healthcare, jobs, and other areas
The Tinubu administration has maintained that ending the subsidy was necessary to reduce pressure on government finances and eliminate what it regarded as a system prone to abuse and benefiting a limited group of beneficiaries.
In a subsequent address, Tinubu said subsidy funds had been diverted into the hands of a select group of individuals and argued that the policy had become a financial burden on the country.
But Obi reiterated his position during the BBC interview, declaring:
“If I win, I’ll bring back the fuel subsidy and remove the corruption. I talked about corruption. Corruption is the problem.”
Obi Links Corruption To Leadership
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC Peter Obi
Obi also outlined his approach to tackling corruption, arguing that political leaders must first ensure that they and members of their immediate families are not involved in corrupt practices.
“If you are not stealing, if you are not involved, your wife and family are not involved, you reduce it by 50 per cent,” he said.
Asked how his proposed approach would differ from that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who also campaigned extensively on an anti-corruption platform.
Obi said Buhari did not exercise sufficient control over his administration.
“Nigerians should not decide with that. He was not in charge. The difference is that I’ll be in charge,” he said
Obi Rejects Stepping Down For Consensus Candidate
The NDC candidate also rejected the suggestion that he should step aside for another opposition candidate if opposition parties eventually agree to field a consensus candidate against the ruling party in 2027.
“We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing,” Obi said.