2027: Kwankwaso Says NDC May Restore Petrol Subsidy to Cut Fuel Prices

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, has said the party would explore every necessary option, including restoring petrol subsidy, to bring down fuel prices if it wins the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso made the statement on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He criticised the economic consequences of the subsidy removal introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Tinubu announced the end of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, during his inauguration. The policy was followed by significant increases in petrol prices, transportation costs and other living expenses.

Kwankwaso argued that Nigerians were still dealing with the effects of the decision, adding that the cost of energy remained excessively high across the country.

“We have seen the implication of removing the subsidy from day one in the country till today. Up till now, I think nobody has recovered from that shock of removing the subsidy on that day,” he said.

He said the NDC had considered the issue as part of its broader discussions on Nigeria’s economic challenges, drawing on the experiences of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as former governor of Anambra State, and Kwankwaso’s own time in charge of Kano State.

The former Kano governor also mentioned Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State and a prominent party figure, among those whose experiences had informed discussions on possible solutions.

According to Kwankwaso, reducing energy costs would be central to the party’s efforts to ease the financial difficulties confronting Nigerians.

“Our collective position now is that the price of energy in this country is too high,” he said.

He maintained that the party would not rule out significant interventions to lower fuel prices, including bringing back subsidy.

“Our position is we are going to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the price of fuel in this country is taken back, including doing whatever we can, including the subsidy,” he said.

Kwankwaso said the ultimate objective was to make life easier for Nigerians, many of whom are struggling with rising costs and difficulty meeting basic needs.

The statement places petrol subsidy back at the centre of the debate over economic policy as political parties prepare their proposals for the 2027 elections.

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