From Day One’ – Peter Obi Backs Petrol Subsidy Return, Says Corruption Must Go First.

By Desmond

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the major problem with the policy was not the idea of subsidy itself but the corruption surrounding its implementation.

Obi made the clarification during a recent interview with the BBC, where he addressed his position on petrol subsidy and his plans to tackle corruption in government. He insisted that his position had been misunderstood and maintained that corruption had always been central to his argument.

“From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” Obi said.

When asked directly whether he would bring back petrol subsidy if elected president, the former Anambra State governor answered in the affirmative. However, he stressed that his proposed arrangement would not tolerate the corruption associated with the former system.

“Yes, but not with the corruption associated with it. That’s why I said I will remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” he said.

The statement has generated renewed debate because Obi had previously maintained that petrol subsidy should be removed. In August 2026, while speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt, he said mismanagement of the savings from subsidy removal should not be used as an argument for reversing the policy.

At that time, Obi argued that the resources saved from subsidy removal should have been redirected towards areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and other sectors capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

His latest comments therefore represent a significant change in how he intends to approach the issue ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Rather than completely rejecting subsidy, Obi is now proposing a system in which government intervention would remain while corruption and leakages are eliminated.

The issue is particularly sensitive because President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The decision led to major changes in petrol prices and became one of the most controversial economic policies of the administration.

Obi's new position comes amid growing political debate over the cost of petrol and the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians. His running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had also previously suggested that an NDC-led government could introduce subsidy in a different form.

In my view, Obi's clarification is politically significant because petrol subsidy remains an emotional and economic issue for millions of Nigerians. If subsidy is restored, the biggest challenge will be ensuring that the programme does not become another avenue for fraud, inflated import figures or diversion of public funds.

A transparent subsidy system could potentially reduce the burden of fuel prices on citizens, but it would also require strict monitoring, accurate accounting and strong institutions.

Therefore, the real question is not simply whether subsidy should return. The more important question is how it would be funded, monitored and protected from corruption.

Obi's promise to remove corruption before retaining subsidy will therefore face serious scrutiny as the 2027 election approaches. Nigerians will likely want to know exactly how his proposed system would work and how much it would cost the country.

Source: BBC interview, as reported by TheCable, Punch Newspapers and other Nigerian news outlets.