Peter Obi Rejects 5% Fuel Tax, Says Nigerians Need Relief Not More Burden

• Peter Obi has criticized the Federal Government’s proposed 5% tax on petrol and diesel, warning it will worsen hardship for Nigerians already struggling with high transport and living costs.

• He questioned why new taxes are being imposed despite the government claiming to have met revenue targets, urging that funds should instead be used for education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.

• Obi also noted that CNG, touted as a cheaper alternative, has doubled in price without promised subsidies.

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s newly announced 5% tax on refined fossil fuel sales, including petrol and diesel.

In a statement, Obi questioned the timing of the policy, stressing that Nigerians are already struggling with the high cost of living and transportation. “When will Nigerians truly breathe?” he asked, noting that such a tax would only worsen the hardship faced by millions.

He criticized the government for imposing more burdens despite boasting about meeting revenue targets. According to him, funds from such revenues should instead be directed toward education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, not additional taxes on struggling citizens.

Obi also pointed out that the much-touted Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative has become unaffordable, jumping from ₦230 to ₦450, while the promised subsidies have “quietly vanished.”

He urged the government to hold off on the proposed fuel tax until Nigerians begin to see real improvements in their daily lives. “Leadership is not about giving a burden, it is about reducing suffering, it is about care and compassion,” he emphasized.

Reiterating his vision, Obi concluded: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”