By Eche Nwaobasi – Onitsha..
An Anambra state-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Ben Uzuegbu has thrown his weight behind the proposal by the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that if elected president, he would restore fuel subsidy in Nigeria.
In August, 2026, Atiku stated during media interviews and public addresses that he would bring back the oil subsidy, noting that the savings from the current administration’s removal have been either mismanaged or stolen, instead of using it to help the citizens.
He clarified that he is not entirely against ending old importation-based subsidies, but argues that ordinary Nigerians have not seen the promised benefits.
According to reports, Atiku intends to shift the subsidy from fuel importation and middlemen to domestic production – supplying local refineries with crude at preferential rates.
Making this known while speaking with newsmen in his law chambers in Onitsha yesterday , Chief Uzuegbu reasoned that reintroduction of fuel subsidy is a good idea, because, according to him, all over the world, many things are subsidized, including energy, agricultural produce, and many other things that concerns the life of the common man in the street.
He stated that reintroduction of fuel subsidy is a policy that every right thinking Nigerian should support adding that he is aware that in the implementation of fuel subsidy, a lot of corrupt practices come to play, but that it depends on government in power.
“Someone may decide to import 100 barrels, but will give a quotation of 1000 barrels. This is a common practice among fuel importers, and if government is willing to stop corruption associated with fuel subsidy removal, it can do so. Government should not suffer the common man by allowing petroleum prices to go high, because they have refused to control oil thieves. he stated
Continuing he noted,”In the past three years, removal of fuel subsidy has caused hyper inflammation in Nigeria. Three years after fuel subsidy removal, where is the money realized from it? How much is realized, and what has it been used for? Is Nigeria’s GDP and inflation getting better after the subsidy removal? Has Naira exchange for Dollar gotten any better?
“All the countries producing oil all over the world subsidize fuel. Nigeria cannot be an exception. So, my suggestion is that fuel subsidy should be there, while the government should make efforts to fight corruption associated with it.”
The senior lawyer further berated Nigerian government, saying that despite homongous money realized from the subsidy removal, no effort was made to repair existing Nigeria refineries or build new ones.
Said he again,”Why has the Nigerian government refused to plough the money realized from subsidy removal into building refineries in Nigeria? Look at Dangote – he started from the scratch, and look at where he is today.”