The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it would bring back fuel subsidy under a different approach if Peter Obi becomes president.
The party’s Vice Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, made this known during an Arise News interview while discussing petrol prices and President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, said the NDC would work to make petrol cheaper for Nigerians, including by investing more in local refineries.
“No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” he said when asked if the party’s position on subsidy could affect its campaign in the North-West.
He explained that government could build more refineries to increase local production and reduce reliance on imported fuel.
“Now, if individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement,” he said.
Kwankwaso said the goal was to ensure Nigerians could buy fuel at a reasonable price.
“What is the minimum requirement? The minimum requirement is for the people across the country to go to the filling stations and buy fuel at a reasonable price,” he added.
“We, in the NDC, will do whatever it takes, really, to put the price of oil down.”
He also criticised Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy immediately after taking office in 2023.
Kwankwaso said major presidential candidates in the 2023 election backed subsidy removal but faulted Tinubu for implementing it immediately without first addressing its possible consequences.
“And not only he decided to remove the subsidy, what he did was to remove it immediately — in fact, day one — without looking at all those possible issues that were associated with that,” Kwankwaso said.
