The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has said its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would not distribute funds saved from the removal of petrol subsidy to state governors if elected president in 2027.
The party’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, made this known while responding to the debate over fuel subsidy and the proposal by African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to restore the policy.
Abu Agada said Obi would instead ensure that money generated from the end of the subsidy regime is used for projects and programmes that directly benefit Nigerians.
According to him, Obi would invest the funds in quality education, better healthcare, transport infrastructure and job creation rather than allowing the money to be shared among state governments.
President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after taking office in 2023, a decision that led to major changes in fuel prices and increased living costs for many Nigerians.
Atiku, who is contesting the 2027 presidential election under the ADC, recently called for the return of petrol subsidy if he wins the presidency. His position has since triggered criticism from political opponents who argue that the policy had created room for abuse and benefited powerful interests in the oil sector.
Abu Agada said Obi had maintained a consistent position on the subsidy issue and had supported the removal of the policy and deregulation of the downstream oil sector for many years.
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He argued that the main issue was not simply whether the subsidy should exist, but how public resources connected to the policy should be managed.
The NDC spokesman said Obi would not allow the money saved from subsidy removal to be controlled by governors. Instead, he said the funds would be directed towards projects capable of improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
He listed schools, healthcare facilities and transport infrastructure among the areas that would receive attention under an Obi administration. He also said the proposed use of the funds would support employment and improve opportunities for Nigerians.
Abu Agada further criticised Atiku’s position on subsidy, questioning why the ADC candidate was now supporting a policy that he had previously opposed.
He also accused those who benefited from the old subsidy system of being likely to return if the policy was restored. He said an Obi government would not allow oil interests to regain control of the subsidy process.
The NDC spokesman’s comments come as political parties and presidential candidates begin to intensify their campaigns and policy debates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The issue of petrol subsidy remains one of the major economic questions in the emerging campaign, with opposition parties divided over whether the policy should remain removed or be brought back in a different form.
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