Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said the party would reintroduce fuel subsidy in a different form if elected in 2027, with increased domestic refining among the measures being considered to bring down petrol prices.
Kwankwaso made the statement during an interview with Arise News while discussing fuel pricing and the economic impact of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy in 2023.
The former Kano State governor said the NDC would not necessarily return to the previous subsidy system but would develop its own approach to making petrol more affordable for Nigerians.
“We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” he said.
Kwankwaso argued that the government could invest in additional refineries to increase domestic production and reduce pressure on petrol prices.
“There are many ways. One, I can tell you now, we have a refinery built by a businessman. And I’m sure more refineries would be built.
“Now, if individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why the government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement.
“What is the minimum requirement? The minimum requirement is for the people across the country to go to the filling stations and buy fuel at a reasonable price.
“We in the NDC will do whatever it takes really to put the price of oil down.”
Kwankwaso also criticised the manner in which the petrol subsidy was removed under Tinubu, arguing that the policy was implemented immediately after he assumed office without sufficient consideration of the consequences.
He recalled that the major presidential candidates during the 2023 election had spoken about removing the subsidy but said Tinubu was the one who implemented the decision.
“In 2023, during the campaigns, I remember the three of them. All of them said they would remove subsidy. In fact, before then, Atiku even added that he would sell all the four refineries to his friends,” he said.
“Among the three of them, Bola Tinubu decided to remove the subsidy. And the consequences that we thought would happen certainly happened.
“And not only did he decide to remove the subsidy, what he did was to remove it immediately, in fact, day one, without looking at all those possible issues that were associated with that.
“And that’s how we find ourselves in this total mess economically. Now, everybody realises that it was a mistake.”
The NDC vice-presidential candidate also criticised Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, over his position on fuel subsidy.
Kwankwaso alleged that Atiku’s position was politically motivated and questioned how the proposed policy would be implemented.
“But you see, what Wazirin Adamawa did was just to play politics. I don’t think he meant what he said,” Kwankwaso said.
“That is one. And secondly, really, he didn’t tell anybody how he’s going to do it.
“But he knew people now are desperate. If you just go out there and say, ‘I’ll remove it,’ even when you said many times that you would not remove it.”
Kwankwaso’s comments come as fuel prices and the cost of living remain major issues in Nigeria’s political debate ahead of the 2027 election. Recent increases in global oil prices have also pushed petrol prices higher in Nigeria, adding to pressure on households and businesses.
