Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said a government led by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would reintroduce fuel subsidy through a different approach.

Kwankwaso made the statement on Tuesday during an interview with Arise TV while discussing the fuel subsidy policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the positions of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the NDC would seek to reduce petrol prices by investing in domestic refining capacity rather than returning to the previous subsidy model.

“No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said when asked whether the NDC would face difficulties campaigning in the North-West, where there is support for the return of subsidy.

The former Kano State governor said the government could invest in building refineries to increase domestic production and make petrol available at what Nigerians could reasonably afford.

He pointed to the Dangote Refinery as evidence that private investment could expand refining capacity, adding that government could also build refineries where necessary to meet the country’s minimum requirements.

Kwankwaso said the NDC would take measures to reduce the price of petroleum products and increase local refining.

He also criticised the manner in which the Tinubu administration removed the petrol subsidy, saying the decision was implemented immediately without adequately considering its possible consequences.

According to him, the resulting effects included increased economic hardship and higher costs for Nigerians.

Kwankwaso acknowledged that the three leading presidential candidates in the 2023 election had campaigned on removing the subsidy but said the implementation of the policy under Tinubu created significant economic difficulties.

The NDC’s position comes amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy as political parties and presidential candidates begin outlining their economic policies ahead of the 2027 general elections.