Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has disagreed with former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over the proposed return of fuel subsidy if Atiku wins the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made his position known on Monday during a panel discussion at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State), where opposition presidential candidates debated Nigeria’s economy, security and other major national issues.
Obi: Subsidy removal is still necessary
While Atiku has said he would restore fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, Obi argued that removing the subsidy was necessary and that the real problem was how the government handled the money saved from the policy.
According to Obi, poor management of subsidy savings should not be used as an argument for reversing the policy.
He said the resources recovered from subsidy removal should have been redirected into areas that directly improve the lives of Nigerians.
Obi also accused the government of mismanaging and allegedly stealing resources recovered following the removal of the subsidy.
‘We should have invested the savings’
The former Anambra State governor said he had already advocated for a structured approach to subsidy removal before the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, his proposed approach involved removing the subsidy in an organised manner while investing the resulting savings appropriately.
His position places him at odds with Atiku, who has shifted his position on the policy after previously campaigning for subsidy removal during the 2023 presidential election.
Subsidy debate returns ahead of 2027
The disagreement between the two opposition figures comes as the 2027 presidential contest begins to take shape, with major opposition politicians presenting competing ideas on how to address Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023 shortly after assuming office. The decision triggered a significant increase in fuel prices and intensified concerns about the cost of living.
While supporters of subsidy removal argue that the policy frees government resources for development, critics maintain that Nigerians have borne much of the resulting economic burden without seeing sufficient benefits from the savings.
With the 2027 election approaching, the future of fuel pricing and subsidy policy is expected to remain a major issue in political campaigns and public debate.
What do you think: Should Nigeria maintain fuel subsidy removal or bring back the subsidy? Share your thoughts in the comments.
