Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has rejected Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Obi said the removal of fuel subsidy was necessary but insisted that the Federal Government had failed to properly manage the funds saved from the policy.
The former Anambra State governor spoke during a panel session at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where presidential candidates and political leaders discussed major national issues ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had reportedly proposed bringing back the fuel subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
However, Obi disagreed with the proposal, arguing that poor management of the proceeds from subsidy removal should not be used as justification for returning the policy.
According to him, the government should instead have developed a clear and organised plan to ensure that Nigerians benefited directly from the resources saved after the subsidy was removed.
Obi said the proceeds from the policy should have been invested in critical sectors and projects capable of reducing the hardship faced by Nigerians.
He added that his position on subsidy removal had been clearly stated in his manifesto ahead of the 2023 presidential election, maintaining that the policy should be implemented in a structured manner.
Obi said the resources recovered from ending the subsidy should be transparently managed and invested in projects that would improve the lives of Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration in May 2023, a decision that led to a significant increase in fuel prices and contributed to the rising cost of living across the country.
Meanwhile, other presidential candidates at the NBA conference also expressed differing views on Nigeria’s economy, security challenges and policing structure.
Former Rivers State governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, said Nigeria’s economy could be strengthened through massive job creation, increased local production and policies that would improve the financial condition of citizens.
Amaechi also highlighted his record as governor of Rivers State and promised that an Atiku-Amaechi administration would ensure a more equitable distribution of political appointments across the country.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, called for a change in leadership, arguing that the country’s security problems could not be effectively addressed under the current administration.
Sowore also maintained his opposition to the way fuel subsidy had been operated, arguing that the policy largely benefited influential individuals and political elites.
On security, Sowore and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo, called for stronger measures to tackle terrorism and other security threats.
Adebayo, however, proposed a three-tier policing structure involving the federal, state and local governments.
Former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, said effective leadership remained the foundation for solving Nigeria’s numerous challenges.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, defended the Federal Government’s push for state police, saying the proposed reform was aimed at addressing the shortcomings of Nigeria’s centralised policing system.
Gbajabiamila said adequate safeguards must be put in place to prevent governors from using state police against political opponents.
He also identified inadequate manpower, poor deployment and the use of police officers for escort and administrative duties as some of the challenges affecting effective policing in Nigeria.
The NBA conference provided a major platform for political figures and presidential hopefuls to present their positions on key national issues as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
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