‘I’ll end criminality as President’ — Peter Obi tackles fuel subsidy

Presidential hopeful and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) entrant, Peter Obi, has vowed to tackle all forms of criminality if elected President in 2027, describing the fuel subsidy regime as “organised crime.”

 

Obi made the remarks during an interview on Trust TV, where he questioned Nigeria’s reported fuel consumption figures.

 

“Subsidy is organised crime and I won’t allow any form of criminality as President of Nigeria,” he said.

 

The former Anambra State governor argued that Nigeria’s fuel consumption data does not align with global comparisons, citing Pakistan as a reference point.

 

“We are about the same size as Pakistan. They have more roads and possibly more vehicles, yet their fuel consumption is about a third of ours. So who is consuming the balance?” he queried.

 

Obi insisted that there is empirical evidence suggesting discrepancies in the system, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the petroleum sector.

 

During the 2023 presidential election, Obi and other candidates had pledged to remove fuel subsidy, citing its economic burden.

 

President Bola Tinubu, who won the election, announced the removal of fuel subsidy during his inauguration at Eagle Square, Abuja.