Edo Governor Okpebholo criticized over UK petrol price comparison

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has faced intense criticism from political figures and parties following remarks comparing Nigerian petrol prices to those in the United Kingdom. During a recent trip to London, Okpebholo noted that petrol costs approximately N3,000 per litre in the UK, whereas it is roughly N1,500 in Nigeria, suggesting that the current administration is performing well in stabilizing the economy.

Business commentator Isaac Fayose and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) have condemned these comparisons as insensitive and economically flawed. Critics argue that the governor failed to account for the vast disparity in purchasing power and income levels. Fayose highlighted that Nigeria’s minimum wage of N70,000 allows a worker to purchase only about 49 litres of fuel monthly, whereas UK workers earn significantly higher wages that provide greater affordability despite higher nominal costs.

The APM has gone further, describing the remarks as callous and demanding Governor Okpebholo’s resignation. The party noted that in other oil-producing nations like Libya and Iran, petrol prices are substantially lower, and warned that such statements ignore the severe economic hardships and rising living costs currently facing Nigerian citizens.