2027: Obi makes U-turn, vows to restore petrol subsidy if elected

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, saying corruption, rather than the policy itself, is the major problem.

According to PUNCH, Obi made the remarks on Tuesday during a BBC interview, saying he would retain subsidy after eliminating corruption associated with its implementation.

“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy.”

Asked if he would restore the scheme, Obi replied: “Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy.”

He also linked his anti-corruption strategy to the conduct of the president and immediate family, saying, “If you are not stealing, if you are not involved, your wife and family are not involved, you reduce it by 50 per cent.”

The former Anambra governor’s position comes weeks after his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said an NDC government would bring back subsidy “in our own way.”

Obi also rejected suggestions that he should step aside for another opposition candidate in a possible 2027 consensus arrangement.