RismadarVoice Reporters
October 11, 2026
Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol price discount, arguing that temporary relief measures cannot adequately address Nigeria’s wider economic challenges.
Obi, in a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, criticised the initiative, describing it as a reactive response to the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians following the removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023.
He argued that a discount amounting to less than five per cent of petrol costs would provide limited relief to households struggling with rising living expenses.
According to the former governor, the government should focus on sustainable economic policies capable of addressing poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inequality and declining purchasing power.
Obi questioned whether the temporary discount formed part of a broader economic strategy or was simply intended to ease public dissatisfaction over the cost of living.
He also criticised the implementation of major economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal, exchange-rate liberalisation and changes to the tax system.
The former governor argued that the reforms had not been sufficiently coordinated or accompanied by measures to protect vulnerable Nigerians from their immediate economic effects.
He linked the country’s economic difficulties to what he described as weaknesses in policy planning and implementation, citing inflation, business closures, unemployment and the increasing movement of young Nigerians abroad.
Obi called for a comprehensive assessment of government policies to determine their impact on households, businesses, investment and national productivity.
He urged the Federal Government to conduct a regulatory impact assessment and publish its findings to promote transparency and provide a basis for policy adjustments.
The former governor also advocated wider consultation with businesses, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens before major economic decisions are introduced.
Questioning the objectives of the petrol discount, Obi asked whether the initiative would contribute meaningfully to reducing poverty and unemployment, improving security, increasing productivity or expanding exports.
He further questioned whether the measure represented a reconsideration of the subsidy removal policy or a temporary intervention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi maintained that Nigerians needed clearly defined economic policies with measurable outcomes rather than short-term interventions whose long-term benefits remained uncertain.
His remarks reflect continuing disagreement over the Federal Government’s economic reform programme, particularly the balance between fiscal restructuring and measures intended to reduce the immediate financial burden on citizens.
The questions raised by Obi represent his assessment of the policy. They do not, by themselves, establish the actual economic impact of the proposed discount, which would require evidence from its implementation and subsequent evaluation.
