Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s One-Month Petrol Discount, Calls It ‘Political Optics’
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, criticised President Bola Tinubu’s one-month petrol discount policy, describing it as “another very reactive and confused approach to governance” that offers limited relief to Nigerians facing economic hardship.
In a statement shared on his social media accounts, Obi questioned the purpose of the initiative, which he said amounts to less than five per cent of petrol costs.
He asked: “Will it reduce poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and inequality? Will it increase productivity and exports? Is it a test to ascertain if subsidy should be restored? Is it another political gambit in the face of threats of electoral loss in the 2027 election?” He added, “Too many questions, no answer!”
Obi faulted the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, arguing that it was carried out “without any consultation or proper assessment of the negative impacts of such policies on our economy particularly on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians.” He also criticised the subsequent floating of the naira and tax reforms, which he said were implemented in a “very disorganized, incompetent and insensitive manner.”
He linked the policies to rising poverty, increasing costs of goods and services, business closures, unemployment, insecurity, widening inequality and the migration of young Nigerians.
He also questioned the accessibility of the discount, noting that it was available at about 900 NNPC Retail stations out of an estimated 24,000 petrol stations nationwide, with priority given to public transport operators.
Using an estimated population of 243 million, Obi calculated that the arrangement amounted to one NNPC Retail station for every 243,000 Nigerians, assuming an even distribution of outlets, which he noted was not the case. “This is certainly not how to govern a richly blessed and endowed nation!” he said.
Obi called for detailed assessments of government policies and wider consultations with stakeholders and ordinary Nigerians.
He reiterated his support for restoring fuel subsidy alongside subsidies in agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure, arguing that leadership should focus on reducing the cost of living through transparent and welfare-enhancing policies.
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