2027: Obi, Kwankwaso split over fuel subsidy promise

Fresh questions have emerged over the economic position of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, appeared to take different positions on the issue of fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, said an administration led by Obi would reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach, stressing that the party would take steps to reduce the cost of petrol for Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, the former Kano State governor said the NDC would not maintain the current fuel pricing system but would adopt measures aimed at making petrol more affordable.

“No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said when asked whether the party’s position on subsidy would affect its support in the North-West.

He said the government could invest in establishing more refineries to increase domestic production and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

“Now, if individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement,” he said.

Kwankwaso said the objective would be for Nigerians to buy fuel at a reasonable price.

“We, in the NDC, will do whatever it takes, really, to put the price of oil down,” he added.

The development has revived debate over the NDC’s position on fuel subsidy, particularly as Obi has maintained a consistent argument against returning to the old subsidy regime.

During the 2023 presidential campaign, Obi argued that Nigeria’s fuel subsidy system was unsustainable and needed to be restructured. He maintained that resources being spent on subsidy should instead be redirected into productive sectors of the economy.

Obi reinforced that position recently at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt in August 2026, where he rejected calls for a return to the old subsidy arrangement.

“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.

He argued that savings from subsidy removal should have been invested in critical sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture, while also strengthening Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund.

Obi also criticised the handling of the policy, claiming that although trillions of naira had been recovered from subsidy removal, the funds had not been transparently deployed to cushion the impact on Nigerians.