Sowore Vows to Restore Fuel Subsidy on First Day in Office, Labels Regime ‘A Scam’

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has pledged to reverse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal on his first day in office if elected president in 2027, describing the subsidy regime as a “scam” and promising to restore whatever arrangement previously kept petrol prices at about N400 or below.

Sowore also vowed to prosecute public officials found to have stolen funds meant for critical infrastructure and social services, arguing that allowing alleged corruption to go unpunished amounts to a failure of public policy.

The human rights activist made the promises during an interview with Symfoni TV, where he outlined his proposed approach to the economy, security, education, energy, governance and corruption ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Sowore: ‘I’ll Reverse Tinubu’s Policy’

Asked whether he would make a major policy announcement immediately after taking office, similar to Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy at his inauguration in May 2023, Sowore said his first move would be to reverse the policy.

“On the first day I've been sworn in, I'm also going to reverse Tinubu's policy. That's to reinstate whatever they call subsidy,” he said.

Sowore disputed the conventional description of the arrangement as a subsidy and argued that the system that previously kept petrol prices at N400 or below should be restored.

“I don't believe there's subsidy. We found out that it's all a scam. Whatever it is that is called subsidy, whatever was there that kept petrol at N400 or less, that will be reinstated immediately,” he said.

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, shortly after taking office. The decision was followed by a sharp increase in petrol prices and transportation costs, contributing to widespread concerns over the rising cost of living.

‘I Won’t Touch Tinubu’s Policies’

Sowore was also highly critical of the Tinubu administration’s policies on the economy, energy, education and security.

He said he would not retain any of the current administration’s major policies if elected.

“There’s no policy of this present administration, the regime, that I would touch with a six foot tall pole. Never,” he said.

He described the government's energy policy as a failure and criticised its student loan programme, arguing that providing loans to people who struggle to secure employment could make repayment difficult.

He also condemned the administration’s economic policies and described its security record as particularly poor.

Sowore Promises Jail for Public Officials Who Steal

On corruption, the AAC candidate said his administration would pursue public officials accused of diverting money allocated for schools, hospitals, roads and other public infrastructure.

He, however, distinguished between legitimate criminal prosecution and the use of imprisonment as a political weapon.

“Sending people to prison is not public policy. But not sending thieves to jail is bad public policy,” Sowore said.

He argued that officials who steal public money and use it to acquire properties in Nigeria or abroad should face the law.

“If you took the money that is meant for schools, hospitals, you know, and for the development of highways, and you go and build a mansion in Europe or Dubai or even Abuja, if we don't send you to jail, we are not serious,” he said.

‘SPICER HEAT’ Remains His Blueprint

Responding to questions about his experience and readiness to govern, Sowore said many of the proposals he presented during his 2019 presidential campaign had since become part of mainstream political discussions.

He cited proposals covering insecurity, electricity, economic diversification, wages and other national challenges.

Sowore said his policy framework is captured under the acronym “SPICER HEAT,” which he introduced during his 2019 campaign.

The framework covers security, power, infrastructure, the economy, anti-corruption, restructuring, health, education, agriculture, technology and tourism.

He maintained that the framework remains relevant, although some elements would require adjustments to reflect Nigeria’s changing economic and security conditions.

Sowore Backs State, Local and Community Police

On insecurity, Sowore expressed support for decentralised policing.

He proposed policing structures operating at federal, state, local government, campus, city and community levels, while maintaining nationally established training and professional standards.

“I support state police, I support campus police, I support city police, I support town-to-town policing. The only thing that must be there is that the training must be done centrally and by national standards,” he said.

However, he warned that state police could become another instrument of abuse without strong safeguards and accountability mechanisms.

He pointed to alleged abuses by some vigilante and quasi-security groups as evidence of the dangers associated with poorly regulated armed formations.

Sowore also called for better pay for security personnel, arguing that poorly remunerated officers could be vulnerable to corruption.

He proposed redirecting funds currently provided as security votes to state governors toward direct payment of police salaries.

“You cannot give guns to people who are hungry. They are just empowered armed robbers,” he said.

Rejects Return to Regional Government

Sowore also rejected calls for Nigeria to return to a regional system of government.

He argued instead for retaining the presidential state structure while allowing states greater autonomy to develop policies suited to their individual circumstances.

According to him, regional government could concentrate important administrative functions in regional headquarters and make access to public services more difficult for residents of other states.

He cited the possibility of residents of Ekiti having to travel to Ibadan to access regional government services.

“I am not in support of regional government. I am in support of the presidential state system,” he said.

AAC Defends Crowdfunding Model

The AAC candidate also defended his party’s funding structure, describing it as an alternative to the financial system that dominates Nigeria’s major political parties.

Sowore said the party relies largely on crowdfunding, donations from members and voluntary contributions rather than selling nomination forms or depending heavily on wealthy political sponsors.

He said the party operates an online platform through which Nigerians can donate to the organisation and its candidates.

He also highlighted the role of volunteers, describing their contributions of time, skills and resources as “sweat equity.”

According to him, the model has enabled the AAC to sustain its political activities over several years without relying on the financial practices associated with mainstream parties.

‘Nigeria Is Africa’

On foreign policy and Nigeria’s role on the continent, Sowore argued that Africa’s progress is closely linked to Nigeria’s ability to overcome its own political and economic problems.

“The only way you can pull Africa to the top and to become the best is to make Nigeria the best, because Nigeria, as I often describe, is Africa,” he said.

He described Nigeria as a major force in Africa and argued that the country’s domestic weaknesses have diminished its influence across the continent.

Sowore also likened Nigeria to the trigger of an African pistol, arguing that improvements in the country could have a wider regional impact.

Rejects Tinubu’s Independence Day Message

Sowore also dismissed President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying he no longer follows the president’s speeches because, according to him, he has never believed in Tinubu’s leadership.

With the 2027 election approaching, Sowore’s latest comments place him firmly in opposition to the Tinubu administration and offer voters a platform built around reversing key government policies, expanding decentralised policing, prosecuting alleged corruption and maintaining the AAC’s alternative funding model.

Whether his proposed restoration of a fuel subsidy, decentralised policing structure and other policy changes would be financially and institutionally viable remains a central question voters would need to consider ahead of the election.