Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that corruption, rather than the subsidy policy itself, is a major challenge confronting Nigeria. His latest position has renewed debate over how the country should manage fuel prices, public spending and the economic pressures facing households.
Obi made the statement on September 28, 2026, during a town hall meeting organised for the Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto. He maintained that corruption had contributed significantly to Nigeria’s difficulties and promised that his administration would work to eliminate corrupt practices across government and other 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 at the gathering.
He also argued that corruption was a central problem affecting the country and pledged to address it if given the opportunity to lead Nigeria. His comments came as political parties and public figures continue to debate the economic consequences of petrol subsidy removal and how the resources associated with the policy should be managed.
The statement marks a change from the position Obi expressed in August at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2026 conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. At that event, he said he supported the removal of petrol subsidy and argued that the mismanagement of the proceeds was not sufficient reason to reverse the policy.
Obi had maintained that subsidy removal should be implemented in an organised manner, with the resources recovered directed towards areas that could improve the lives of Nigerians. He identified sectors such as healthcare, education and other essential public services as potential beneficiaries of properly managed funds.
His latest remarks in Sokoto place renewed emphasis on restoring the subsidy after tackling corruption. However, the statement did not provide a detailed explanation of how the proposed restoration would work, how much it might cost the government or what safeguards would be introduced to prevent a recurrence of the abuses associated with the former subsidy system.
Fuel subsidy has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious economic policy issues since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced its removal in May 2023. The policy ended the government’s previous approach of keeping petrol prices artificially lower through public expenditure, although its implementation also contributed to increased pressure on transport costs, household budgets and businesses.
Supporters of subsidy removal have argued that the government should redirect the resources previously spent on the programme towards infrastructure, healthcare, education and other development priorities. Critics, however, have questioned whether Nigerians have received sufficient benefits to justify the increased cost of living associated with higher fuel prices.
The debate also concerns transparency and public accountability. Removing a subsidy does not automatically guarantee that the resulting fiscal resources will be spent effectively. Equally, restoring a subsidy would require clear funding arrangements, effective oversight and measures to prevent public money from being diverted through fraudulent claims or other forms of abuse.
Obi's proposal therefore raises questions about the relationship between corruption control and fuel pricing. Tackling corruption could strengthen the management of public funds, but the practical effects of restoring a subsidy would also depend on its design, financing, implementation and impact on government revenue.
At the Sokoto gathering, Obi urged Nigerians to support NDC candidates in the 2027 general elections, presenting the party's political programme as an effort to address the country's recurring challenges. He also expressed concern about the economic situation and said his administration would prioritise security, education and other sectors if elected.
The presidential candidate described education as his administration’s leading priority after national unity and security. However, the central issue arising from his subsidy pledge is how these stated priorities would be financed alongside any future commitment to subsidising petrol.
For voters and economic observers, the key questions will include the proposed subsidy structure, the expected cost to public finances, the protections intended for vulnerable households and the mechanisms for ensuring transparent use of government funds. These details would be necessary to assess how the proposal might work in practice.
Obi’s latest statement places fuel subsidy and corruption back at the centre of the political debate ahead of the 2027 election. Whether his proposed approach would provide lasting relief to Nigerians would depend on the specific policies, funding arrangements and accountability measures eventually presented.
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