It is fire for fire as Peter Obi blasts President Bola Tinubu!
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has torn apart the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, branding it “plain political optics masked as policy” that cannot save suffering Nigerians.
Less Than 4% Stations, What Kind Of Relief Is That?
Obi, in a fiery post on his X handle on Monday, exposed the huge flaw in the scheme. He said the discount will only be available at about 900 NNPCL retail outlets out of estimated 24,000 filling stations nationwide – less than four per cent!
“Imagine 243,000 Nigerians struggling for a N66 per litre discount in each of the NNPCL petrol stations. This is certainly not how to govern a richly blessed nation,” Obi fired.
He argued that with uneven distribution of NNPCL stations, millions in rural areas will never smell the discount. A relief that cannot reach the people is no relief at all.
Is It About 2027 Election?
The former Anambra governor questioned the impact of a less than five per cent discount for just one month. Will it reduce poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inequality? Will it boost productivity and exports?
“What does Tinubu’s government want to achieve with a one-month discount of less than five per cent?” Obi asked.
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He queried whether the move is to test return of fuel subsidy or a political gimmick ahead of 2027 elections.
Obi said the policy is another example of reactive policymaking after subsidy removal on May 29, 2023 without consultation, plus floating of naira and tax reforms that pushed inflation and hardship.
Time For Real Change, Not Gimmicks
Listing business closures, multidimensional poverty, japa of youths, Obi insisted government failed to conduct regulatory impact assessments before major policies.
He reiterated his call for restoration of fuel subsidy and subsidies in agriculture, health, education and infrastructure, promising a detailed roadmap for fair and affordable pricing.
“It is clear that President Tinubu’s October 1 policy announcement is neither welfare-enhancing nor honest. Nigerians are tired of those gimmicks. It is time for real change,” Obi declared.
