The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would manage funds generated from fuel subsidy removal differently if elected president in 2027, promising to channel the resources into projects and programmes that directly benefit Nigerians.
The party’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, made the position known while responding to the renewed debate over fuel subsidy following former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore the policy if elected.
Agada said Obi has consistently supported the removal of fuel subsidy and deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, but believes the resources saved from the policy must be managed transparently and invested for public benefit.
“For our presidential candidate, he will not put the money in the pockets of the governors like Tinubu, and he will not bring back the oil cabals that were benefiting from the subsidy scam, as Atiku is proposing,” Agada said.
He added that an Obi administration would use the funds to improve healthcare, education and transport infrastructure while creating employment opportunities.
The statement follows Obi’s recent rejection of Atiku’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy. Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt, Obi maintained that removing the subsidy was necessary, arguing that poor management of the resulting savings should not justify reversing the policy.
“I subscribe, and I maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it,” Obi said.
The issue has become a major talking point ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with candidates offering different approaches to fuel pricing and economic management.
Atiku has proposed restoring subsidy in a modified form, while Obi has argued for maintaining its removal and ensuring that the resources released are transparently deployed for development.
The debate is significant because the 2023 subsidy removal led to increased petrol prices and intensified concerns over living costs. With the 2027 election approaching, how candidates intend to address fuel prices, public spending and economic relief is expected to remain a major campaign issue.
