I’ll restore fuel subsidy but eliminate corruption — Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has announced that his administration will remove the fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, according to a BBC interview on Tuesday. The former Anambra State governor made this statement despite President Bola Tinubu's announcement of subsidy removal during his swearing-in on May 29, 2023. Obi attributed the fuel subsidy issue to corruption, stating, "corruption is the problem of subsidy."

When asked if he would reintroduce the subsidy regime, Obi affirmed that he would fight the corruption associated with it, clarifying that he would remove corruption while retaining the subsidy. The NDC presidential candidate proposed reducing the subsidy by 50% if no one in the government was involved in theft or related activities. Obi emphasized that Nigerians should not decide by electing a consensus candidate but rather focus on doing the right thing.

The presidential candidate also noted that late President Muhammadu Buhari, who took a stand against corruption, should not be held responsible for actions taken by government officials serving under him. Obi stated, "Nigerians should not decide with that. He was not in charge. The difference is that I’ll be in charge."