President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his opposition to the restoration of petrol subsidy, declaring that the policy has been permanently scrapped and accusing opposition politicians advocating its return of misleading Nigerians to win votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at Dutse Township Stadium in Jigawa State.
Tinubu, who did not mention any opposition figure by name, argued that restoring the subsidy would undermine the resources required to construct new roads, repair existing infrastructure and fund essential development projects.
He accused politicians campaigning for the return of the policy of prioritising their personal and political interests over the welfare of Nigerians, insisting that his administration would not reverse what it considered a critical economic reform.
“Don’t listen to those who are promising to return fuel subsidy, they’re liars. How do you build more roads? How do you repair the old ones? They don’t have your interest at heart, they only want to take care of their pockets and that of their children,” Tinubu declared.
The President maintained that the removal of petrol subsidy was permanent and urged Nigerians not to be persuaded by campaign promises suggesting otherwise.
“To those who say subsidy is coming back, it’s a lie. Don’t let them lie to you again. It’s not going to come back,” he said.
His latest position echoed a similar declaration at an APC campaign rally in Kaduna on October 24, where he also dismissed the possibility of restoring the subsidy.
Tinubu argued that Nigeria could no longer afford to commit huge public funds to subsidising petrol consumption when the resources could instead be deployed to infrastructure, education, agriculture and other sectors capable of driving economic growth.
He maintained that sustaining the reforms was necessary to improve government revenue, strengthen public finances and expand productive activities rather than return to policies his administration considers financially unsustainable.
The President also urged voters to carefully examine the campaign promises of opposition candidates, arguing that restoring petrol subsidy would limit the government’s capacity to finance development programmes.
His renewed stance comes amid persistent public concerns over the economic effects of subsidy removal, particularly rising transportation fares, food prices and the cost of essential goods and services.
Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, a decision that led to a significant increase in petrol prices and contributed to the rising cost of living across the country.
While his administration has consistently defended the policy as necessary to reduce government expenditure and redirect resources towards development, opposition parties have criticised its impact on household earnings, purchasing power and business operations.
At the Jigawa rally, Tinubu also highlighted his administration’s infrastructure, agricultural and economic programmes, saying they would be sustained and expanded if given another term in office.
He said more resources would be committed to road construction and rehabilitation, describing improved infrastructure as essential to economic expansion, trade and the transportation of agricultural produce.
The President further pledged to strengthen food production and bring down prices through mechanised agriculture, improved access to credit facilities and increased investment in agricultural research.
He announced plans to establish six mechanised farming service centres and offer interest-free loans to small-scale farmers, expressing confidence that the initiatives would boost agricultural production, improve food security and generate employment.
“Nigeria needs stable power supply and this is what we promise to give Nigerians. Besides, we are set to revive the agricultural sector in order to enhance food security and make food available at cheap prices for all Nigerians,” he said
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Tinubu also promised continued investment in electricity, security and critical infrastructure, arguing that the gains of the economic reforms would become more visible as ongoing projects and programmes were completed.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), alongside ongoing road and railway projects, as evidence of his administration’s efforts to channel public resources into national development.
The President appealed to Jigawa residents to support his re-election bid and that of Governor Umar Namadi, saying another four-year mandate would enable both administrations to complete and consolidate their ongoing programmes.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who also addressed the gathering, urged the electorate to support the second-term ambitions of Tinubu and Namadi.
Similarly, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, dismissed claims that the President had marginalised Northern Nigeria, arguing that Tinubu deserved the region’s support in line with the informal power rotation arrangement between the North and South.
Governor Namadi assured the President of Jigawa State’s backing, promising to deliver two million votes from what he described as the state’s 2.3 million registered voters.
Tinubu also virtually commissioned several projects executed by the Namadi administration, including agricultural equipment comprising 400 tractors, 60 combine harvesters and 150 seeders.
Other projects unveiled included skills acquisition facilities and a 3.5-kilometre dual carriageway leading to the Emir of Dutse’s palace.
The President’s latest declaration has further brought the future of petrol subsidy into the 2027 election debate, with his administration maintaining that the policy will not be restored despite opposition calls, as Nigerians continue to contend with the rising cost of living following its removal.
