2027 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Donald Duke Vows to Slash Petrol Price to ₦300 Per Litre
Former Cross River State Governor and presidential hopeful, Donald Duke, has promised Nigerians that he would reduce the pump price of petrol to about ₦300 per litre if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Duke made the pledge while outlining his economic vision and approach to tackling the mounting cost-of-living crisis confronting millions of Nigerians.
According to him, reducing the cost of petrol would have a significant impact on transportation, food prices, production costs and household expenses, given the central role of fuel in Nigeria's economy.
The former governor's proposal comes amid continuing public concern over the price of petrol following the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent increase in transportation and commodity prices.
Duke argued that Nigeria's enormous oil and gas resources should translate into tangible economic benefits for citizens rather than leave households struggling with rising energy costs.
The ₦300 Question
While the promise has the potential to resonate strongly with Nigerians facing economic hardship, achieving a pump price of ₦300 per litre would require major changes in the country's petroleum pricing structure, refining capacity, crude supply arrangements, taxation, logistics and broader fiscal policy.
Nigeria's ability to sustain such a price without recreating the fiscal burden associated with the former petrol subsidy regime would therefore be a critical test of the proposal.
The pledge is likely to become one of the major economic talking points as presidential contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
For millions of Nigerians, however, the central question will not simply be whether petrol can be sold at ₦300 per litre, but how such a price would be achieved, funded and sustained without creating another subsidy crisis or undermining public finances.
Duke's declaration consequently places fuel pricing and the wider cost-of-living crisis firmly at the centre of the emerging 2027 presidential debate.
As political campaigns gather momentum, Nigerians are expected to scrutinise not only promises on petrol prices but also the detailed economic policies, funding mechanisms and implementation plans behind them.
THE ANALYST will continue to examine the economic claims and policy proposals of the major contenders ahead of the 2027 presidential election.