The debate over Nigeria’s fuel subsidy has taken another turn, with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso saying his party would introduce a new form of subsidy if elected in 2027.
Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, made the statement during an interview with ARISE News.
The former Kano State governor criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy in 2023, arguing that the manner in which it was implemented contributed to the economic difficulties Nigerians are facing.
According to Kwankwaso, the NDC would not simply return to the previous subsidy system. Instead, he said the party would pursue its own approach, with greater emphasis on increasing Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.
He said government could support the construction of refineries alongside private investors, with the goal of ensuring that enough petroleum products are available locally and sold at more affordable prices.
Kwankwaso also said the party would take measures aimed at reducing the cost of fuel for Nigerians.
“We will do whatever it takes to put the price of oil down,” he said during the interview.
The NDC candidate also questioned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s position on Nigeria’s refineries, criticising the proposal to privatise them.
The fuel subsidy debate has once again become a major issue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with different political figures proposing varying approaches to reducing the burden of petrol prices.
Kwankwaso’s latest comments come shortly after NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi reiterated his position that subsidy removal itself should not be reversed, although he criticised the management of the funds saved from the policy.
President Tinubu, meanwhile, recently ruled out returning to the previous petrol subsidy regime and said the government was instead pursuing alternatives such as CNG-powered transportation to reduce the impact of fuel costs.
Source: ARISE News.
