Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said his administration will restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, but only after tackling corruption across the country.
Obi made the declaration on Monday at a town hall meeting organised for the Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto.
He identified corruption as a major challenge facing Nigeria and said an NDC government would work to eliminate it across all sectors.
“People are talking about subsidy, but what is all about it is corruption. By removing the corruption, I assure you that we will bring back subsidy,” Obi said.
“The problem of Nigeria is corruption; as such, if elected, we will stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country.”
Obi’s earlier position on subsidy removal
The latest position marks a change from comments Obi made in August.
Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Association’s 2026 conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the former Anambra State governor said the removal of petrol subsidy should not be reversed because of the Federal Government’s handling of the savings.
“I subscribe and maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds shouldn’t be the reason for not removing it,” Obi said.
His latest comments now place the restoration of petrol subsidy within a broader plan to tackle corruption and reduce leakages in government.
Obi outlines economic priorities
At the Sokoto town hall, Obi urged Nigerians to support NDC candidates at all levels in the 2027 general elections.
He said the party was committed to what he described as a “politics of care and service to Nigerians”.
Obi also expressed concern over the economic situation and said Nigeria’s resources would be deployed to improve security, education and other sectors.
“Education is our number one priority after unity and security,” he said.
He further promised to connect all state capitals by rail to boost economic activities and development.
Kwankwaso backs subsidy return
NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said the delegation visited Sokoto to engage residents and seek their support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso said the North-West was facing serious security challenges, particularly banditry and kidnapping, and pledged that an NDC administration would work to address them.
He also said the delegation had earlier visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who, according to Kwankwaso, prayed for the success of the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket and conveyed his goodwill.
Kwankwaso had previously said an NDC government would reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach, including increased investment in domestic refining.
“We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said during an Arise News interview.
He said increased domestic refining could help the government make petrol available to Nigerians at what he described as a reasonable price.
Subsidy debate ahead of 2027
The NDC position comes amid an ongoing political debate over the impact of the petrol subsidy removal by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has also proposed restoring petrol subsidy if elected, while the Tinubu administration has defended the removal.
Obi’s latest comments therefore add another position to the growing debate over how future governments should approach petrol pricing, domestic refining and the use of public resources.
