The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to suspend the newly introduced 5 percent tax on refined fossil fuels until Nigerians begin to feel the benefits of ongoing economic reforms.In a statement shared on his verified X account titled “When will Nigerians truly breathe?”, Obi argued that governance should focus on easing citizens’ burdens rather than worsening them with additional levies. He described the timing of the tax as insensitive, pointing out that millions of Nigerians are already grappling with high transport fares and rising living costs.
“Nigerians will pay a 5% tax when buying fuel or diesel at a time when millions can hardly afford transportation,” Obi wrote. He further observed that despite government claims of meeting revenue targets, improvements were yet to be seen in vital sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
The former Anambra State governor also criticised the sharp increase in the cost of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which he noted had risen from about ₦230 to ₦450 per unit, contrary to earlier subsidy promises. According to him, if government revenues are indeed “excessive,” they should first be channelled into addressing poverty and funding essential services rather than imposing new taxes.
Obi insisted that the 5 percent fuel tax should be deferred until citizens can see measurable improvements in their daily lives. “Leadership is not about giving a burden, it is about reducing suffering, it is about care and compassion,” he stated.
