Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has made a significant U-turn on petroleum subsidy, pledging to reinstate it if elected in 2027 but only after his administration has dealt with corruption in the sector.
Obi made the pledge on Monday during a town hall meeting organised for the Obi/Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto. Addressing supporters, he insisted that corruption, not subsidy itself, remains Nigeria’s fundamental problem. “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 declared. He further stated that his administration would “stop all forms of corruption in every sector of the country”.
The former Anambra governor’s latest position marks a sharp reversal from his stance in August, when he publicly backed the removal of petrol subsidy. Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 2026 conference in Port Harcourt, Obi had argued that mismanagement of subsidy savings was not a valid reason to reverse the policy. “I subscribe and maintain that you need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds shouldn’t be the reason for not removing it,” he said at the time.
Obi also used the Sokoto gathering to outline other priorities, promising to connect all state capitals with railway lines and declaring education as his “number one priority after unity and security”. NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, who accompanied Obi, said the visit aimed to seek support ahead of the 2027 elections and address challenges including banditry in the North-West.
The development comes amid ongoing national debate over the impact of the current administration’s subsidy removal, which has triggered sharp rises in commodity prices and transport fares since 2023.