Kwankwaso Critiques Fuel Subsidy Removal, Promises Reform

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of Kano State, criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023, claiming it has worsened Nigeria's economic hardships. In an exclusive interview with Arise News, Kwankwaso stated that the NDC would reintroduce a subsidy in a different form if elected in the 2027 general elections.

He argued that the abrupt removal of the subsidy lacked adequate measures to mitigate its effects on Nigerians. Kwankwaso emphasized that while major presidential contenders had campaigned on subsidy removal, Tinubu's immediate implementation from his first day in office exacerbated the economic situation.

He proposed expanding refining capacity through public and private investments to ensure affordable fuel prices, criticizing Atiku Abubakar's proposal to privatize refineries as unclear and politically motivated. Kwankwaso assured that the NDC's approach would not revert to the previous subsidy regime but would aim to alleviate fuel price burdens while maintaining economic stability.