Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged that his administration would restore a form of petroleum subsidy if elected in 2027, saying the first priority would be to eliminate what he described as corruption surrounding the subsidy system.
Obi made the statement during a town hall meeting organised for the Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto, where he outlined some of the priorities he said an NDC government would pursue if elected.
“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 identified corruption as one of Nigeria’s major challenges and promised that an administration led by him would confront corruption across different sectors of government.
“The problem of Nigeria is corruption, as such, if elected, we will stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country,” he said.
Another report of the Sokoto engagement quoted Obi as saying his government would first eradicate corruption associated with fuel subsidy before determining the form in which subsidy could be returned.
“We will eradicate corruption, especially the one related to fuel subsidy, before we find a way to return subsidy in another dimension,” he said.
Obi also urged Nigerians to support NDC candidates at different levels in the 2027 general elections, presenting the party’s campaign as one centred on what he described as a politics of care and service.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern about the economic conditions confronting Nigerians and said the country’s resources should be deployed towards improving security, education and other critical sectors.
“Education is our number one priority after unity and security,” Obi said.
He also promised to pursue railway connectivity between state capitals as part of efforts to facilitate economic activity and development.
Obi’s campaign message in Sokoto also focused on corruption, poverty and the cost of governance, with the NDC candidate maintaining that public resources should be channelled towards services that directly affect citizens.
His running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said the visit to Sokoto was intended to engage residents and seek their support and cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier in the visit, Obi and Kwankwaso paid a courtesy call on the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III. Kwankwaso said the meeting formed part of their consultations in the state.
At the town hall meeting, Kwankwaso drew attention to insecurity in different parts of Nigeria, particularly banditry and kidnapping in the North-West.
He said the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket would seek to address those challenges if elected.
“We are, therefore, committed to mitigating all these challenges and make Nigeria better,” Kwankwaso said.
The former Kano State governor said their political engagement was focused on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and addressing security and economic difficulties affecting communities.
The NDC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Dr. Shamsudeen Haido, also addressed the gathering and pledged to provide good governance if elected.
The state chairman of the party, Alhaji Bello Yabo, said the town hall gave Sokoto residents an opportunity to hear directly from Obi and Kwankwaso about their plans for the country.
The Sokoto engagement forms part of the NDC ticket’s ongoing consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi and Kwankwaso have also been involved in broader discussions within the party over the organisation of campaign structures and the role of support groups ahead of the polls.
... “We Will Bring Back Fuel Subsidy After Removing Corruption” — Obi Tells Sokoto Town Hall, Pledges Education, Security, Rail Reforms ... TheNigeriaLawyer.