Tuesday September 29, 2026
By thenewsdesk.ng
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has promised to introduce a transparent fuel subsidy regime if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Obi said the proposed system would ensure that any subsidy retained by his administration would directly benefit Nigerians rather than create opportunities for corruption.
The former Anambra State governor stated this on Monday in Sokoto during a town hall meeting with NDC members and supporters, where he outlined his plans for the economy, security, agriculture, education and infrastructure.
Obi criticised the previous fuel subsidy regime, alleging that corruption had undermined its effectiveness and denied Nigerians the full benefits of government intervention.
He said his administration, alongside the NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, would establish a transparent framework for monitoring crude oil production, transactions, imports, exports and government revenues.
“Kwankwaso and I will initiate a work plan that would transparently arrive at the quantum of crude, nature of transactions, import and export, and revenue accruing from every single oil and gas transaction and activity for the benefit of Nigerians,” Obi said.
He said transparency in the management of the country’s oil and gas resources would be central to restoring citizens’ confidence in government and ensuring that public resources were used for the benefit of Nigerians.
Obi also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of worsening poverty and hardship in the country, alleging that the government had failed to provide adequate infrastructure and interventions for citizens.
“The current administration and some political leaders in the country have abandoned the citizenry without basic infrastructure and intervention. That is why the country is the most poverty-stricken in the world,” he alleged.
On the economy, Obi promised that an NDC administration would prioritise agriculture, education, security and infrastructure, saying the measures would help create a more productive economy.
He also pledged to expand rail transportation, including establishing connections linking Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara with other parts of the North-West and the country.
“I will effectively ensure rail transport connects Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, the entire North-West and other regions,” he said.
Obi further promised closer coordination between the presidency and vice-presidency, saying he and Kwankwaso would work together in implementing their programmes.
On insecurity, he said an NDC government would collaborate with state governors to tackle banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, while supporting farmers through fertiliser subsidies and other interventions to boost food production.
(Punch)