Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has pledged to revive Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Sowore made the promise on Tuesday while speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he discussed his plans for Nigeria’s petroleum sector and his position on petrol subsidy.
The human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters attributed the prolonged dysfunction of the nation’s refineries to corruption and alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for their maintenance and rehabilitation.
According to him, getting the refineries to operate efficiently would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, lower fuel costs and create more employment opportunities.
Sowore said he was confident that the four refineries could be made operational under his administration.
“There are four refineries in Nigeria, and I can make them work. If we are refining locally, even if we save N10 per gallon, it is a huge amount considering that we consume over 60 million litres daily,” he said.
He questioned why Nigeria continues to import petroleum products from other countries that refine crude locally, despite having its own refineries.
Sowore noted that Nigeria even imports refined products from neighbouring countries, arguing that the country should focus on maximising its own refining capacity.
He also rejected the idea of completely removing petrol subsidy, saying his administration would prioritise policies aimed at protecting vulnerable Nigerians while addressing corruption in the petroleum industry.
The AAC candidate maintained that subsidy could be sustained if the government tackled leakages and ensured that the benefits reached ordinary citizens.
According to him, Nigerians should support a leader capable of protecting the poor while fighting corruption in the subsidy system.
Sowore added that the country needs a government that can balance social protection with accountability and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of citizens.
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