By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) may face questions over its position on fuel subsidy after its vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said a government led by Peter Obi would reintroduce subsidy in a different form.
Kwankwaso made the statement on Tuesday during an interview with Arise TV, where he discussed the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove petrol subsidy and the NDC’s proposed approach to fuel pricing ahead of the 2027 election. (Arise News)
According to the former Kano State governor, the NDC would adopt measures aimed at reducing petrol prices, including increased government investment in domestic refining.
“We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said.
He argued that government could establish refineries where necessary to increase local production and ensure that Nigerians can purchase petrol at what he described as a reasonable price.
Kwankwaso also criticised the timing of Tinubu’s subsidy removal, arguing that the policy was implemented immediately after the President assumed office without adequate preparation for its consequences.
He said the three major contenders in the 2023 presidential election had campaigned on removing the subsidy but faulted the manner in which the Tinubu administration implemented the policy.
The position contrasts with comments previously made by Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, who has maintained that subsidy removal was necessary.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt in August, Obi said mismanagement of subsidy proceeds should not be used as a reason to reverse its removal.
“I subscribe and maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds shouldn’t be the reason for not removing it,” Obi said. (Channels Television)
Obi argued that resources recovered from subsidy removal should have been redirected into sectors including healthcare and other productive areas, while criticising what he described as mismanagement of the proceeds.
The differing positions have placed attention on how the NDC intends to structure its fuel policy if it forms the next government.
While Obi has argued for retaining subsidy removal and using the resulting resources more effectively, Kwankwaso has proposed government intervention through domestic refining and a new form of subsidy aimed at lowering pump prices.
Kwankwaso’s comments therefore add a new dimension to the debate over how the NDC would balance fiscal policy with the need to reduce the burden of high petrol prices on Nigerians.
The development also comes as political parties and presidential contenders continue to outline different approaches to fuel pricing ahead of the 2027 general election.
