Former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said any of the four major presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections would have removed petroleum subsidy if elected, insisting the policy was not peculiar to President Bola Tinubu.

Okowa said this on Tuesday in Asaba when members of the Asaba Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) paid him a solidarity visit ahead of the 2027 general elections.

"Any of the presidential candidates would have removed the subsidy, as they had all made that commitment in their manifestoes. Tinubu only had the opportunity to implement it because he emerged as President," Okowa said.

He argued that the presidential candidates had independently recognised the need for its removal in the country's economic interest.

His comment comes amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy ahead of the 2027 elections, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar pledging to restore subsidy if elected, and President Tinubu describing those making such promise as liars.

Okowa was Atiku's running mate in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The engineers, led by the branch Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ojei, had pledged their support for Okowa's bid to return to the Senate to represent Delta North Senatorial District in 2027.

The delegation, which comprised a large number of professional engineers, commended Okowa's administration's infrastructural achievements across the state, describing his performance as deserving of their support at the polls.

They assured the former governor that NSE members across Delta North would mobilise support for his electoral ambition and work towards securing his victory.

Responding, Okowa described members of the engineering profession as dependable partners in development, recalling the cordial working relationship he maintained with them during his tenure as governor.

He particularly acknowledged their contributions to efforts aimed at addressing flooding challenges in Asaba, noting the importance of engineering expertise in tackling critical infrastructural and environmental issues.

The former governor appealed to the engineers to support his bid to return to the Senate, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience in governance and legislative responsibilities would enable him to provide effective representation for the people.

Okowa, who previously served in the Senate between 2011 and 2015, highlighted his contributions to the development of Nigeria's healthcare sector, particularly his involvement in the passage of the National Health Act

According to him, the legislation provided the framework for improved healthcare financing, including provisions for health insurance and dedicated funding for primary healthcare delivery across the country.

He maintained that his experience across different levels of government, coupled with his legislative background, would position him to contribute meaningfully to national development if given another opportunity to represent Delta North in the Senate.