“No Contradiction” — NDC, Obi’s Camp Defend Kwankwaso’s Plan To Return Subsidy Differently
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has thrown its weight behind the proposal by its vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to reintroduce fuel subsidy in a different form if the party wins the 2027 election.
The position of the party was disclosed in separate exclusive interviews with The PUNCH.
The reaction comes after Kwankwaso, speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, said an administration led by Peter Obi would bring back subsidy “in our own way” while discussing the hardship caused by President Bola Tinubu’s removal of subsidy.
Asked whether the NDC would face difficulties campaigning in the North-West where there is support for return of subsidy, Kwankwaso told Arise TV: “No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way.”
He explained that the plan would involve investing in refineries and increasing domestic production to make petrol available at a reasonable price, and criticised Tinubu’s May 29, 2023 declaration that “subsidy is gone” as haphazard.
Following mixed reactions that trailed the interview, with many claiming it contradicted Obi’s earlier stance, the NDC and Obi’s camp have now clarified that there is no contradiction.
Obi’s camp: No contradiction
Speaking to The PUNCH, spokesman to Peter Obi, Idris Zekeri, said Kwankwaso was being misquoted and that the party was proposing a new, creative approach that tackles corruption in the subsidy system.
“It seems many people are misquoting our vice presidential candidate. What he said was that Obi’s government will return subsidy ‘in our way.’ Is it different from what was aired?” Zekeri told The PUNCH.
He said the ultimate goal is to end endemic corruption in the fuel subsidy regime and find a creative way to drive down fuel price so proceeds can be invested directly in Nigerians’ lives.
“So, we are going to bring back subsidy in ‘our own way,’ not the one we are experiencing. We need to be creative about it. The average Nigerian needs a life that is subsidised,” he told The PUNCH.
Zekeri maintained that Obi’s position has been consistent since 2023. He referenced Obi’s earlier interview on Arise Television on June 9, where Obi said: “I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy. If you go to my manifesto, it is there, along with the steps I would have taken in an organised manner.”
Obi had also said in that interview, “There is nothing wrong with the removal of the fuel subsidy. What is wrong is the haphazard way in which it was announced and implemented,” describing the old regime as rife with “criminality and corruption.”
Zekeri added, “Our principal, Peter Obi, is consistent with these two messages. We are going to force down the price of fuel by working with private refineries and looking at our oil sector with a view to dealing with the endemic corruption in the upstream, midstream and downstream of the industry.”
He argued that at the height of subsidy, Nigeria’s claimed consumption of 60 million litres daily was inflated, saying: “People were apparently drinking the petrol. It is that hose we plan to remove from their mouth so we can now put those resources in the pocket and lives of Nigerians.”
Obidient Movement, NDC react
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, when contacted by The PUNCH, referred to Obi’s previous public statements, saying: “Obi has addressed this issue, and they are out there in the public domain. Please work with the statement he put out.”
On its part, the NDC leadership said it stands fully with its presidential ticket.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, told The PUNCH: “Our party is in support of our flagbearer. Whatever they agree to do, we are in support. We have a way of outlining our position.”
Director questioned the current price of petrol, saying: “The question is, are Nigerians contented and happy with the manner they are buying fuel for N1,500? Even capitalist nations subsidise for the welfare of their citizens.”
“The kind of government we have here is so uncaring. It also shows they lack empathy. So what the NDC government is promising is to address the living conditions of the people and ameliorate their suffering. The NDC is ready to execute any policy that would promote it,” he told The PUNCH.
