Former Kano State Governor and presidential aspirant Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has pledged to work with Peter Obi to address the high cost of petroleum products and insecurity if their political plans for 2027 materialise.
Kwankwaso made the remarks in a video circulating online, in which he spoke about the need to reduce the economic burden created by high energy costs while addressing insecurity across the country.
The statement comes amid continued public concern over the prices of petrol and other petroleum products, as well as persistent security challenges affecting communities in different parts of Nigeria.
Kwankwaso, who is currently the running mate to Peter Obi under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has previously spoken alongside Obi about the need to tackle hardship and insecurity. During the NDC’s Port Harcourt town-hall programme earlier this month, the two politicians criticised the level of economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
In the latest video, Kwankwaso said the pair would make reducing the cost of fuel and kerosene and improving security key priorities.
“I and Peter will do whatever it takes to bring fuel prices down in Nigeria and tackle insecurity.”
The comments represent a political commitment by the NDC presidential team ahead of the 2027 general election.
Fuel prices and household pressure
Fuel prices have remained a major economic issue in Nigeria following the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023 and subsequent changes in the downstream petroleum market.
Changes in petrol prices have affected transportation costs and, by extension, the cost of goods and services.
Obi has separately said that tackling corruption and inefficiencies associated with the petroleum subsidy system would help reduce the cost of petrol.
The NDC’s position therefore places energy affordability alongside insecurity among the issues it says would receive priority under its proposed administration.
Kwankwaso’s latest statement, however, remains a campaign pledge and would depend on the policies and mechanisms any future administration adopts to influence petroleum prices.