The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, says a government led by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach.
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, stated this during an interview with Arise TV while discussing fuel pricing and the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said the NDC would pursue measures to reduce the cost of petrol, including increased investment in domestic refining.
“No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said when asked whether the party’s position on fuel subsidy could affect its campaign in the North-West.
He explained that government could establish additional refineries to increase local production and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
According to him, expanding domestic refining capacity would enable Nigerians to buy petrol at a “reasonable price.”
“If individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement,” he said.
Kwankwaso added that the NDC would prioritise policies aimed at reducing fuel prices.
“What is the minimum requirement? The minimum requirement is for the people across the country to go to the filling stations and buy fuel at a reasonable price,” he said.
“We, in the NDC, will do whatever it takes, really, to put the price of oil down.”
The NDC chieftain also criticised the manner in which President Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in 2023.
He said the major presidential candidates in the 2023 election had supported subsidy removal but faulted Tinubu for implementing the policy immediately without first addressing its possible consequences.
“And not only he decided to remove the subsidy, what he did was to remove it immediately—in fact, day one—without looking at all those possible issues that were associated with that,” Kwankwaso said.