Nigerians React to Gov Okpebholo’s N3,000 Fuel Price Comment

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has come under criticism over statement that Nigerians are lucky and should rejoice that the petrol pump price per litre still hovers between N1,400 and N1,500.

The statement has continued to attract public condemnation and criticism in Nigeria’s media space.

BACKGROUND:

Okpebholo had earlier compared petrol prices in Nigeria with those in the United Kingdom, arguing that at N1,500 per litre, Nigerians were enjoying because a litre of fuel costs more than N3,000 in the UK after conversion.

He made the comments recently while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo.

He said he visited London recently and went with a friend to buy petrol specifically to compare the prices, adding that after converting the UK price in pounds to the Nigerian naira, he found that a litre was sold for over N3,000.

His comment came amid continued concerns over the cost of petrol and other essential commodities following the removal of the petrol subsidy and subsequent changes in pump prices.

However, reactions were almost instantaneous as Nigerians took to social media platforms to criticize the governor. 

Many Nigerians questioned the governor’s wisdom in comparing fuel prices in Nigeria and the UK without taking into account the minimum wage in both countries.

An Instagram user, @hakimizaki_01, asked: “And so? Are we using the same currency? Do they have crude oil? Do they have petrol? Are they not buying them from other countries? This is a very stupid thing to say to Nigerians. Yes, indeed, the United Kingdom buys petrol at a higher price because their currency has more value than ours.”

Another user, @trainritefitness, equally asked: “How much is the average salary in the UK and Nigeria? The UK imports oil, but we have it in abundance. So, on what basis is the governor making the comparison? He is just trying to insult our sensibilities, but Nigerians are wiser now.”