Nigeria Is Doing Well, Petrol Cost Over ₦3,000 In UK – Says Edo Gov Okpebholo

The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has defended the current petrol price in Nigeria, saying motorists in the United Kingdom (UK) pay the equivalent of more than ₦3,000 for a litre.

Naija News reports that Okpebholo made the comparison on Thursday while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State.

The governor said he visited London the previous week and went to a filling station with a friend to compare the cost of petrol in the UK with what Nigerians pay.

He said after converting the price to naira, a litre of petrol cost “about ₦3,000-something” in the UK.

“When we complained about cost of petrol, I was in London last week. I told my friend, ‘Let’s go and buy fuel just to know the cost of fuel between Nigeria and England.’

“Let me tell you, after conversion, it’s about ₦3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” he said.

Okpebholo said the comparison showed that Nigerians were paying less for petrol than motorists in the UK.

“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” the governor said.

He described the economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government as difficult, saying they would eventually produce results.

“Because what we are seeing in Nigeria today is a reform. And that reform that is ongoing is a very difficult one,” he said.

Okpebholo compared the reforms to an aircraft taking off, saying passengers do not get food until the plane reaches cruising altitude.

“I make an illustration. When a plane is taking off, do you see them serving food? Do you see air hostesses serving food in the plane? They will never give you food until that seatbelt is released. That means on a cruising level. That is when they will start serving food.

“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level,” he said.

The governor also pointed to road construction across the country as evidence of development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today, concrete pavement all over Nigeria,” he said.

Okpebholo spoke while expressing support for the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba Road, which has suffered deterioration and created difficulties for motorists.

The event, tagged “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road”, was held as part of efforts to address the condition of the major highway linking Edo and Delta states.

The Federal Government has commenced emergency intervention on the road, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, saying temporary rehabilitation is expected to improve the condition of the route within four weeks. The Federal Government also plans to redesign the 136-kilometre dualization project with reinforced concrete pavement.

2027 Presidency

The governor also used the occasion to express support for President Tinubu’s continued presidency, asking those planning to challenge him in the 2027 election to reconsider their plans.

“Is Aso Rock vacant? Is Aso Rock vacant? So Aso Rock is not vacant,” Okpebholo said.

He added, “I agree with the Oba of Benin that said, ‘You don’t change a working President.’”

Okpebholo further said the economic reforms would eventually take Nigeria to what he described as a “cruising level”.

He added that Edo State and Nigeria were in ‘safe hands’.

He said, “That means even when Asiwaju leaves, whoever President that comes in the future after his… I want to let them know that Edo is in a safe hand. Nigeria is also in a safe hand.”

The governor ended by thanking those who attended the event and expressed concern about the condition of the Benin-Asaba Road.