Peter Obi, 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared support for fuel subsidy removal, advocating better management of the funds.

“I subscribe and maintain that you need to remove subsidy,” Mr Obi declared during the ongoing NBA conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.

The politician, who alleged that subsidy proceeds were being stolen, added, “Mismanagement of the proceeds should not be the reason for not removing it. What we shall do is that when we remove subsidy, we would have given the people alternative usage for the subsidy. 

“What we have today is that the subsidy and the attendant resources being recovered is (sic) being mismanaged and stolen.”

Citing primary healthcare as important sector deserving of attention, Mr Obi said funds saved from subsidy should be channeled to better the lives of Nigerians.

“For example, we have recieved, according to them, about N16 trillion. We’ll do that in organised manner. Let’s say you remove subsidy and realise that one thing you need to focus on is health sector. You commit N800 billion to build primary health centre in each ward.

“So it is what you use the money for. That’s the problem. We’ll use the money in organised manner. People in government tell Nigerians to fast. They cannot be feasting when Nigerians are hungry,” the politician noted.

Debates around subsidy removal had resurfaced as candidates kickstarted campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.

Last week, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, in an interview with journalists, vowed to restore subsidy if elected president in 2027.

“Where is the money? They stole it. I will return fuel subsidy. The big thing was that they removed the subsidy, but where is the money? Even if I removed subsidy, I would still work. The subsidy was removed to improve education, security, poverty and other things. I will return the subsidy,” Mr Abubakar said.