Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has criticized the President Bola Tinubu leds Federal Government’s decision to introduce a 5% tax on all fossil fuel sales, calling it an added burden on already struggling Nigerians.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday evening, Obi questioned the rationale behind the tax, which is part of a new regulation scheduled to take effect in January 2026. The tax mandates a 5% surcharge on all refined fossil fuel products such as petrol and diesel at the point of sale.
Rather than alleviating hardship, Obi argued, the government is worsening the economic situation for millions who are already grappling with the high cost of living and transportation.
“Mr. President just yesterday boasted that Nigeria has met its revenue target for the year,” Obi wrote. “Yet instead of easing hardship, the government imposes more burden on Nigerians.”
He also pointed out that the much-talked-about shift to compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cheaper alternative to petrol has not materialized as promised. According to Obi, the cost of CNG has almost doubled from ₦230 to ₦450 while the promised subsidies on it have “quietly vanished.”
Obi called on the government to redirect its “excessive” revenues to fund critical sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, instead of imposing new levies on citizens.
“Why tax citizens who cannot even breathe anymore?” he asked. “This 5% fuel tax should wait until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives from all the many promises from Mr. President.”
He concluded by emphasizing that true leadership should focus on reducing suffering and showing compassion, not increasing the weight of hardship on citizens.
