Obi Vows to Bring Back Fuel Subsidy, Promises Crackdown on Corruption

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared that his administration will restore the fuel subsidy regime if elected into office in 2027, but with a strict focus on eliminating the corruption tied to the system.

Speaking during a BBC interview on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor argued that the core issue surrounding the fuel subsidy in Nigeria has always been systemic corruption rather than the subsidy mechanism itself.

“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” Obi said.

When asked directly whether he would bring back the policy, Obi confirmed his intention, qualifying that it would operate under strict oversight. “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 explained.

Addressing how he plans to tackle corruption in governance, Obi emphasized personal accountability from leadership. “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 stated, adding that unlike previous administrations, he would be fully in charge of his government.

President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. While the Presidency maintains that removing the subsidy was essential for economic stability, opposition leaders have continued to push for reforms that ease the financial burden on citizens.

Addressing speculation about opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Obi rejected suggestions that he might step down for a consensus candidate, stating, “We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing.”