The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is facing fresh questions over its economic position after its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, appeared to take different positions on fuel subsidy. Kwankwaso said an NDC administration would reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach, aiming 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 to make petrol more affordable. He stated that the government could invest in establishing more refineries to increase domestic production and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
Kwankwaso emphasized that the objective would be for Nigerians to buy fuel at a reasonable price. He added that the NDC would do whatever it takes to put the price of oil down. This 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.
At the conference, Obi rejected calls for a return to the old subsidy arrangement. 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 criticized 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. The differing views of Obi and Kwankwaso have sparked concerns about the NDC's economic plans and its potential impact on the 2027 general elections.
The NDC's stance on fuel subsidy is being closely watched, especially in the North-West region, where Kwankwaso's comments have raised questions about the party's support. Kwankwaso had said that the party's position on subsidy would not affect its support in the region, stating that "we are bringing subsidy in our own way."
Key points
- Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have taken different positions on fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Obi has maintained a consistent argument against returning to the old subsidy regime, while Kwankwaso has said the NDC would reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach.
- The differing views have sparked concerns about the NDC's economic plans and its potential impact on the 2027 general elections.
