Peter Obi Supports Petrol Subsidy Return for 2027 Election

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), stated he would restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, marking a notable shift from his previous position during the 2023 presidential campaign when he advocated for its removal. In an interview with the BBC, Obi asserted that the subsidy itself is not the core issue, but rather the corruption associated with its administration.

He emphasized, “From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy.” When asked if he would reinstate the subsidy regime, he confirmed positively, stating his administration would focus on eliminating corruption linked to the policy.

Obi also outlined his anti-corruption strategy, highlighting the importance of the President's conduct and that of their immediate family in reducing corruption. His comments follow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's announcement ending the subsidy regime on May 29, 2023, and align with remarks from his running mate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, regarding a potential subsidy arrangement.