By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would restore petroleum subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general elections, but only after addressing corruption in the country.

Obi made the statement on Monday during a town hall meeting organised for the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket in Sokoto.

According to him, corruption is a major challenge affecting Nigeria and must be addressed before the country can effectively manage the issue of fuel subsidy.

“People are talking about subsidy but what is all about it is corruption. By removing the corruption, I assure you that we will bring back subsidy,” Obi said.

He added that an NDC-led administration would seek to tackle corruption across different sectors if the party wins the 2027 election.

The former Anambra State governor also called on Nigerians to support NDC candidates at various levels during the election, describing the task of addressing the country’s challenges as a collective responsibility.

Obi said his party was committed to what he described as a “politics of care and service to Nigerians.”

He also spoke about the economic difficulties facing citizens and said an administration led by him would direct national resources towards sectors including security and education.

“Education is our number one priority after unity and security,” he said.

Obi further pledged to develop Nigeria’s railway network by connecting state capitals with rail lines, saying the project would help improve economic activities and support development.

His comments on fuel subsidy represent a change from his previously reported position on the issue. A contemporaneous report said Obi had earlier opposed restoring the subsidy, arguing that resources saved from its removal should instead be used to address citizens’ needs.

Fuel subsidy became a major national issue after President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy in his May 2023 inaugural address. The policy has since remained a significant part of debates over fuel prices, government spending and the cost of living.

At the Sokoto meeting, NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso said the purpose of the visit was to engage residents and seek their support ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, also said the delegation had earlier visited the Sultan of Sokoto. According to him, the Sultan prayed for the success of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and conveyed his goodwill.

He also addressed security concerns in the country, particularly in the North-West, where he said communities have been affected by banditry and kidnapping.

“We are, therefore, committed to mitigating all these challenges and make Nigeria better,” Kwankwaso said.

The NDC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Shamsudeen Haido, also spoke at the gathering and pledged to provide what he described as good governance if elected in 2027.

The state chairman of the party, Bello Yabo, said the meeting gave residents an opportunity to hear directly from Obi and Kwankwaso about their plans and priorities.

The 2027 general election is expected to feature debates over economic policy, fuel pricing, security, education and other major national issues as political parties and their candidates present their programmes to voters.