The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would consider restoring petroleum subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general elections, stressing that his administration would first address corruption associated with the system.
Peter Obi made the commitment on Monday during a town hall meeting organised for the Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto as part of the party’s engagements with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Anambra State governor placed corruption at the centre of his argument, saying the country’s difficulties could not be adequately addressed without confronting corrupt practices across government and other sectors.
According to him, the controversy surrounding fuel subsidy is closely linked to corruption, and dealing with leakages in the system would create room for his proposed approach to petrol affordability.
“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.
He added that an administration led by him would pursue measures aimed at eliminating corruption across different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The problem of Nigeria is corruption, as such, if elected, we will stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country,” he stated.
Obi’s latest position comes amid renewed political debate over the future of fuel subsidy as the 2027 election approaches.
His running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had also recently spoken about introducing a different approach to making petrol more affordable, with the NDC and Obi’s camp subsequently clarifying that their proposed model would be different from the system previously associated with subsidy payments.
At the Sokoto meeting, Obi also presented education, security and infrastructure as key areas of focus under his proposed administration.
He expressed concern about the economic challenges confronting Nigerians and said government resources would be directed towards sectors capable of improving the country’s development and the welfare of its citizens.
Obi specifically described education as a major priority, placing it behind national unity and security in his proposed order of focus.
“Education is our number one priority after unity and security,” he said.
The NDC candidate further outlined an ambitious railway expansion plan, promising to connect state capitals across Nigeria by rail if elected.
He said the proposed railway network would facilitate movement, strengthen economic activities and contribute to development by improving connectivity between different parts of the country.
Beyond presenting his proposed policies, Obi urged Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 elections and support NDC candidates contesting at various levels.
He described the responsibility of addressing Nigeria’s challenges as a collective one and said the party was committed to what he called a “politics of care and service to Nigerians.”
The former governor also used the engagement to appeal for broader public participation in the political process, presenting the election as an opportunity for Nigerians to determine the direction of the country.
Speaking at the same event, NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso said the delegation travelled to Sokoto primarily to interact with residents and seek their support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, said the delegation had earlier paid a visit to the Sultan of Sokoto as part of its engagements in the state.
According to him, the Sultan received the delegation and offered prayers for the success of the Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket while also conveying his goodwill.
The former Kano governor also drew attention to the security situation in different parts of Nigeria, particularly the North-West, where communities have continued to contend with threats associated with banditry and kidnapping.
Kwankwaso said the NDC was committed to finding solutions to the security problems affecting Nigerians and improving the overall condition of the country if given the opportunity to govern.
“We are, therefore, committed to mitigating all these challenges and make Nigeria better,” he said.
The security issue formed part of the wider concerns raised during the Sokoto engagement, as the NDC leadership sought to present its proposed agenda to residents ahead of the elections.
Kwankwaso’s comments came as the party continues its consultations and grassroots engagements in different parts of the country. Reports from the Sokoto meeting said the campaign’s approach was also centred on listening to citizens and understanding their concerns before developing policies.
The NDC’s governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Dr Shamsudeen Haido, also addressed the gathering and pledged to provide good governance if elected governor in the 2027 election.
Haido’s commitment formed part of the party’s broader message at the town hall, where national and state-level candidates sought to outline their plans to residents.
Earlier, the NDC state chairman, Alhaji Bello Yabo, said the meeting was significant because it allowed people in Sokoto to hear directly from the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Yabo explained that the gathering provided an avenue for Obi and Kwankwaso to communicate their vision for Nigeria while also engaging directly with residents ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The Sokoto meeting is part of the NDC’s wider preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the party using consultations and town-hall engagements to present its candidates and proposed policies to voters.
Obi’s pledge on fuel subsidy, alongside his emphasis on corruption, education, security and railway development, is expected to form part of the economic and governance issues likely to feature prominently in the 2027 presidential campaign.