Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Tuesday, vowed that his party will restore fuel subsidy “in its own way” if elected.
He insisted that Nigerians deserve affordable fuel prices.
Kwankwaso, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Arise News on Tuesday, faulted the manner in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidy.
He said the decision taken by Tinubu in May 2023 plunged the country into economic hardship.
“Among the three of them, Bola Tinubu decided to remove the subsidy. And the consequences we thought would happen certainly happened. He removed it immediately, without looking at all the possible issues. That is how we found ourselves in this total mess economically,” Kwankwaso said.
He recalled that during the campaigns, all major contenders had promised to remove subsidy, but Tinubu’s “day one” implementation without safeguards worsened the situation.
He also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to privatise refineries, saying it lacked clarity and was more political than practical.
On whether the NDC would bring back subsidy, Kwankwaso was emphatic, “We are bringing subsidy in our own way. If individuals in this country can build refineries, I see no reason why government under certain circumstances will not build refineries to achieve the minimum requirement, for people to buy fuel at a reasonable price.”
He explained that the NDC’s plan is to expand refinery capacity, both public and private, to ensure supply meets demand and prices remain affordable.
“We will do whatever it takes to put the price of oil down,” he added.
Kwankwaso stressed that the party’s approach would not be a return to the old subsidy regime but a structured intervention that guarantees Nigerians relief at the pump while sustaining economic stability.
The former Kano governor’s remarks come amid widespread debate over the impact of subsidy removal, which has led to soaring fuel prices, inflation, and public discontent.
His pledge signals that subsidy in a redefined form could become a central campaign issue for the NDC as elections draw closer.
