The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to suspend the newly announced 5 percent fuel tax until Nigerians begin to experience tangible benefits from ongoing economic reforms.
The 5% fuel tax under the recent tax act was recently introduced by the federal government mandating citizens to pay 5% off any purchase of petrol in the country.
The government under Bola Tinubu explained that the development is aimed at funding green energy initiatives and and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This means that, if a citizen purchases N10,000 worth of fuel, they’re subjected to 5% tax of N5,000 at the fuel pump.
This development has sparked outrage among citizens including the former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi.
In a statement on his X page, Obi questioned “When will Nigerians truly breathe?”.
He stated that the question is timely and relevant as a new 5% tax on all refined fossil fuel sales, including petrol and diesel, has just been announced by the Federal Government.
He explained that the tax means that “Nigerians will pay a 5% tax when buying their everyday fuel or diesel at a time when millions can hardly even afford the cost of transportation.”
He said; “Mr. President just yesterday boasted that Nigeria has met its revenue target for the year. Yet instead of easing hardship, the government imposes more burden on Nigerians.
“Even the so-called alternative, CNG, has become unaffordable, rising from about ₦230 to ₦450, while the promised subsidies on the CNG have quietly vanished.”
Obi argued that if the country’s revenues are excessive as the government claims, then they should use it to fund education, healthcare and completely pull Nigerians out of poverty.
He added; “If our revenues are truly ‘excessive’ as claimed, should they not first be used to fund education, healthcare and pulling Nigerians out of poverty? Why tax citizens who cannot even breathe anymore?”
He therefore, advised that the 5% fuel tax should wait for the time being untill the lives of Nigerians begin to evidently improve.
According to him; “This 5% fuel tax should wait until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives from all the many promises from Mr. President.
“Leadership is not about giving a burden, it is about reducing suffering, it is about care and compassion.”
