NDC candidate Peter Obi vows fuel subsidy reinstatement and electoral crackdown at Nasarawa town hall

Presidential candidate Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) used a town hall meeting in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday to outline key promises for his 2027 campaign. He announced plans to reinstate the petrol subsidy, enhance education, promote disability inclusion and improve basic public services. Obi also warned that his administration would pursue a hard line against electoral manipulation, saying his team would "rig those who rig" the upcoming poll.

The gathering, attended by party supporters, members and political stakeholders, formed part of a series of NDC engagements across the north‑central region ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election. In his remarks, Obi challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disclose the proceeds generated since the removal of the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, and criticised the president’s frequency of foreign travel.

Background

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, is campaigning alongside former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is also his running mate. The NDC’s Nasarawa State chairman, Comrade Dogo Danladi Shamma, welcomed the candidates and highlighted the town hall as an opportunity for direct voter contact. The party has been conducting a nationwide outreach programme to mobilise grassroots support and present its policy agenda.

In addition to the fuel subsidy pledge, Obi stressed that the subsidy scheme had been undermined by corruption and leakages, and he promised a transparent implementation to alleviate the financial burden on citizens. He positioned education as central to national development, promising improved access, quality and skills acquisition for young Nigerians. The candidate also pledged an inclusive government that would provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in governance and the economy, and he promised to expand access to essential public services and infrastructure.

Obi’s electoral integrity promise echoed his broader law‑and‑order message. He declared that under his watch, no individual—regardless of rank—would be above the law, and that any officials who manipulated the 2027 election would face prosecution and imprisonment. He also called for stricter enforcement of educational qualifications for electoral candidates, insisting that aspirants must have completed both primary and secondary schooling.

Why it matters

The fuel subsidy issue remains a contentious policy area in Nigeria, affecting the cost of living for millions of citizens. Restoring the subsidy, if implemented transparently, could reduce transport costs and household expenses, but it also raises fiscal concerns given past corruption scandals. Obi’s emphasis on education and disability inclusion targets long‑standing gaps in human capital development and social equity, potentially reshaping public service delivery.

Electoral reform is a critical concern ahead of the 2027 polls, with past elections marred by allegations of rigging and vote‑buying. Obi’s pledge to punish election manipulators and enforce educational standards for candidates signals a shift toward stricter compliance, which could influence voter confidence and the conduct of political parties.

What happens next

The NDC will continue its series of town hall meetings and grassroots engagements across Nigeria as the election campaign intensifies. Obi’s promises will be scrutinised by the Independent National Electoral Commission and civil society groups tasked with monitoring election integrity. The party has not provided a detailed timetable for implementing the fuel subsidy or the proposed education reforms, leaving those policy roll‑outs to be outlined should the candidate win the January 16, 2027 election.