By Opeyemi Adelakun
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has sought to put Nigeria’s petrol prices in perspective, saying motorists in the United Kingdom pay the equivalent of more than N3,000 for a litre.
Okpebholo made the comparison on Thursday during the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State, where he also defended the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The governor said he travelled to London the previous week and decided to personally compare the price of petrol there with what Nigerians pay.
According to him, he and a friend purchased fuel in the UK, with the cost translating to “N3,000-something” per litre.
“When we complained about the 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 N3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” he said.
Okpebholo consequently argued that petrol remained relatively cheaper in Nigeria, while crediting Tinubu with efforts to stabilise the economy.
“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the difficulties associated with the Federal Government’s economic reforms but argued that their benefits would become more evident with time.
Using the take-off of an aircraft as an analogy, he said economic gains should not necessarily be expected immediately after reforms are introduced.
“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,” he said.
“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level.”
Okpebholo also pointed to infrastructure projects across the country as part of the developments he associated with the Tinubu administration.
“Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today—concrete pavement all over Nigeria,” he said.
The governor specifically welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba Road, a major highway connecting Edo and Delta states that has suffered significant deterioration.
He also threw his political weight behind Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, questioning the rationale for seeking a change in the presidency.
“Is Aso Rock vacant? Is Aso Rock vacant? So Aso Rock is not vacant,” Okpebholo said.
He further endorsed a position he attributed to the Oba of Benin that a sitting president should not be replaced if his administration is considered to be working.
Okpebholo maintained that the current reforms would eventually yield results, expressing confidence in the future of Edo State and Nigeria.
“That means even when Asiwaju leaves, whoever President that comes in the future after him, I want to let them know that Edo is in a safe hand. Nigeria is also in safe hands,” he said.
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