Obi disagrees with Atiku on fuel subsidy removal
Obi Disagrees with Atiku on Fuel Subsidy Issue
By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt
The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has publicly disagreed with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), regarding the latter’s proposal to reinstate fuel subsidies if elected in 2027.
The debate unfolded during a panel session at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Port Harcourt, where presidential candidates from various opposition parties also addressed Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, the state of the economy, and the controversial fuel subsidy.
Obi criticized the federal government for what he termed mismanagement of the funds saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy, asserting that this does not justify a return to the subsidy. “We need to remove subsidy. Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it,” he stated. He emphasized that a structured approach to subsidy removal should have been implemented, advocating for the reinvestment of recovered resources.
Former governor of Anambra State, Obi referenced his established position on the subsidy issue in his 2023 electoral manifesto, reiterating his commitment to a systematic approach. “When we removed it, we should have given the people alternative usage for the subsidy,” Obi said, highlighting continuous challenges stemming from the mismanagement of funds post-removal.
Atiku Abubakar, who previously supported the subsidy’s removal during the 2023 presidential election, indicated his intention to reinstate the policy if elected. This proposal has sparked debate among other candidates, including former Rivers State governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, who outlined strategies for economic stabilization through job creation and increased local production.
Amaechi criticized the current administration’s approach to political appointments, asserting the need for fair distribution across the country. Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), called for a governmental overhaul, arguing that Nigeria’s security crisis complicates the current leadership’s ability to effectively manage challenges.
As the discussion on security deepened, Sowore and Adewale Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, echoed concerns regarding the existing policing structure, advocating for a new leadership model to address terrorism and other security threats.
The NBA conference provided a significant platform for the presidential candidates to vocalize their positions ahead of the anticipated 2027 elections, highlighting differing political strategies for addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues. President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, defended the administration’s proposed reform of state policing, suggesting necessary changes to mitigate existing inadequacies within the current centralized system.
As the election cycle approaches, candidates like Obi and Atiku continue to lay out their visions for Nigeria’s future, setting the stage for intense political discussions in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
