Nigerian Opposition Candidates Clash Over Fuel Subsidy Restoration

Opposition figures in Nigeria are intensifying calls to restore fuel subsidies ahead of the 2027 elections, though they remain divided on the method. Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), proposed reintroducing subsidies in a modified form by investing in domestic refining to lower pump prices. However, this position contradicts his running mate, Peter Obi, who maintains that subsidies should remain removed to prevent corruption and fund healthcare and education.

Simultaneously, African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar condemned the current policy following an SBM Intelligence survey showing 67.4% of Nigerians support restoring the subsidy. Atiku argued the removal has pushed millions into poverty and proposed a production subsidy for locally refined petrol as an alternative to the market-driven approach.

President Bola Tinubu and the federal government have rejected these demands. The administration asserts that the removal mobilized N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025, strengthening public finances for infrastructure and security. While acknowledging household hardships, the government maintains that reversing the reform would undermine economic gains and create further instability.