Obi Vows Crackdown on Crime, Labels Fuel Subsidy Organized Fraud

Peter Obi, a presidential aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that he would take a firm stance against all forms of criminal activity if elected president in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Obi described the fuel subsidy system as a form of organized crime against the nation.

He questioned the credibility of Nigeria’s reported fuel consumption, arguing that available data does not support the figures often cited.

Obi compared Nigeria to Pakistan, noting that both countries are similar in size. However, he pointed out that despite Pakistan having more extensive road networks and possibly a higher number of vehicles, its fuel consumption is significantly lower—about one-third of Nigeria’s.

He said this discrepancy raises serious concerns about accountability, asking rhetorically who is responsible for the excess fuel consumption attributed to Nigeria.

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

The eventual winner of the election, President Bola Tinubu, announced the immediate removal of the subsidy during his inauguration at Eagle Square in Abuja.