Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy was implemented without adequate measures to cushion its impact on Nigerians.
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, said the decision had contributed to the economic difficulties facing the country.
He made the remarks during an interview with Arise Television while discussing the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and the NDC’s position on fuel pricing ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
Kwankwaso faulted the timing and manner of the implementation, arguing that the government should have considered the possible consequences before ending the subsidy.
“Bola Tinubu decided to remove the subsidy, and the consequences we thought would happen certainly happened,” he said.
“He removed it immediately without looking at all the possible issues. That is how we found ourselves in this total mess economically.”
Kwankwaso proposes different approach
Kwankwaso said the NDC would pursue measures aimed at making petrol more affordable if it forms the federal government after the 2027 election.
He disclosed in the Arise interview that an NDC administration would consider reintroducing fuel subsidy through a different approach, including greater government investment in domestic refining.
“We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said.
He argued that increased domestic refining capacity could help reduce the cost of petrol and make the product available to Nigerians at what he described as a reasonable price.
Kwankwaso maintained that Nigerians should have access to fuel at lower prices and said the government could consider investing in additional refineries to increase local production.
Why Kwankwaso opposes state police
In a separate interview for Arise’s Untold Stories project, Kwankwaso also restated his opposition to the creation of state police.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate attributed the renewed demand for state-controlled policing to what he described as shortcomings in the existing federal police system.
“I have always been against state police,” he said, arguing that the debate emerged largely because of concerns over the ability of the federal police to tackle insecurity effectively.
Kwankwaso warned that expanding access to firearms among civilians could create additional security challenges.
He said widespread possession of weapons could make disputes between individuals escalate into violent confrontations.
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The former Kano governor also criticised the situation in which citizens are encouraged to acquire arms for self-defence, saying such a development could have consequences for public safety.
Kwankwaso’s position on security
Kwankwaso said the worsening security situation had pushed governments and citizens to consider alternative ways of protecting themselves.
However, he maintained that increasing the number of firearms in civilian hands could make it more difficult to maintain peace.
His comments on fuel subsidy and state policing come as political parties and presidential contenders begin positioning themselves on major economic and security issues ahead of the 2027 general election.