NEWS
2027: Why We May Restore Fuel Subsidy – NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate Speaks
2027: Why We May Restore Fuel Subsidy – NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate Speaks
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has indicated that an administration led by Peter Obi could reintroduce fuel subsidies as part of measures to reduce energy costs and ease the economic hardship confronting Nigerians.
Kwankwaso said the party would consider all necessary policy interventions, including subsidies, to make petrol more affordable and provide relief to households and businesses.
Speaking during a television interview, the former Kano State governor criticised the economic consequences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove petrol subsidy upon assuming office on May 29, 2023.
He argued that the decision had imposed significant financial pressure on Nigerians, particularly low-income households struggling with transportation, food and other essential expenses.
According to him, the economic difficulties arising from the subsidy removal remained a major concern for the opposition party.
“Now, we have seen the implication of removing the subsidy, day one in this country today. Up until now, I think nobody has recovered from that shock,” Kwankwaso said.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate explained that his position during the 2023 presidential election had been to tackle corruption in the subsidy system rather than immediately abolish it.
He alleged that fraudulent practices involving petroleum imports, including repeated accounting for the same shipments, had contributed to financial losses within the oil sector.
Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
Kwankwaso maintained that addressing such irregularities could have reduced the financial burden associated with the subsidy programme.
He recalled that several major presidential candidates had supported subsidy removal in 2023, while his political camp advocated reforms to eliminate corruption and improve accountability.
Channel
The former governor disclosed that he and Obi had subsequently held extensive discussions on the country’s economic challenges, reviewing their experiences as state governors and considering recommendations from policy committees.
He insisted that both politicians were now aligned on the need to make energy more affordable.
During the interview, the presenter challenged Kwankwaso over what appeared to be differences between his subsidy position and previous statements attributed to Obi.
The interviewer sought a direct answer on whether an NDC government would formally restore petrol subsidy or maintain its removal.
Responding, Kwankwaso said the party’s principal concern was the excessive cost of energy and the need for immediate relief.
“Our collective position now is that the price of energy in this country is too high,” he declared.
He added: “Our position is we are going to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the price of fuel in this country is taken back, including doing whatever we can, including the subsidy, and so on and so forth.”
The interviewer interpreted the statement as indicating that subsidy restoration remained an option under the proposed NDC administration.
However, Kwankwaso did not specify the precise subsidy structure, funding mechanism, proposed petrol price or implementation timetable.
His latest remarks come amid continuing public debate over the long-term implications of subsidy removal, including higher transportation costs, inflationary pressures and increased government revenues.
The NDC and Obi’s camp had also previously supported proposals for a modified form of fuel subsidy, according to a September 24, 2026 report by The PUNCH.
Kwankwaso insisted that reducing the economic burden on Nigerians would remain a central policy objective of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
He maintained that the party’s approach would involve examining available economic measures to deliver relief without necessarily returning to the former subsidy arrangement unchanged.
The comments leave important policy questions unresolved, including how a future administration would finance any subsidy, prevent abuses associated with the previous system and balance lower fuel prices against other public spending priorities.
Nevertheless, Kwankwaso’s declaration places petrol pricing and the cost of living among the major economic issues likely to feature in political debates ahead of the 2027 general election.
DO YOU WANT TO WHISTLEBLOW, REPORT FRAUD, THEFT OR INJUSTICE OR INTIMIDATION? SEND US YOUR STORY/REPORT TO NEWSDESK@MEDIATODAY.NG
