Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has called on the Federal Government to postpone the newly introduced 5% fuel tax, urging leaders to prioritize easing the burden on struggling Nigerians.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle titled “When will Nigerians truly breathe?”, Obi said the tax set to apply to all refined fossil fuel products, including petrol and diesel—comes at a time when most citizens are grappling with high living and transportation costs.
“Nigerians will pay a 5% tax when buying fuel or diesel at a time when millions can hardly afford transportation,” Obi wrote.
He criticized the timing of the policy, describing it as insensitive, especially since many have yet to feel the impact of government-promised economic reforms.
While the government recently claimed to have met its revenue targets, Obi argued that there has been little to no improvement in essential services like education, healthcare, or poverty alleviation.
He also highlighted the rising cost of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), noting that prices have nearly doubled from around ₦230 to ₦450 despite earlier pledges of subsidies.
“If our revenues are truly ‘excessive’ as claimed, should they not first be used to fund education, healthcare, and lift Nigerians out of poverty? Why impose more taxes on citizens who are already struggling?” he questioned.
Obi stressed that governance should be driven by compassion and care, not additional burdens.
“Leadership is not about giving a burden. It is about reducing suffering. This 5% fuel tax should wait until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives,” he added.
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