Sanwo-Olu Backs Fuel Subsidy Removal Amid 2027 Campaigns

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, publicly supported the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, stating that the decision, although difficult, was essential to prevent financial drain on the national budget. Speaking at the Freedom Online 7th Annual Lecture, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the subsidy had become a channel for fund diversion, failing to benefit the masses as intended.

He noted that all major presidential candidates in the 2023 elections had promised to eliminate the subsidy, but only Bola Tinubu, who won the election, acted on this promise immediately upon taking office. Sanwo-Olu warned against reinstating the subsidy, which he argued would further harm the country's finances.

His comments were made in response to renewed calls from Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, who has pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected in the 2027 elections.