Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said petrol costs more than N3,000 per litre in the United Kingdom, arguing that Nigerians are ‘doing very well’ despite the current price of the commodity in the country.
Okpebholo made the claim on Thursday while speaking at the ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event in Edo State, where he also defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms and intervention in the deteriorated highway.
The governor said he travelled to London the previous week and used the opportunity to compare petrol prices in the UK with what motorists pay in Nigeria.
‘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.
Based on the comparison, Okpebholo said 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,’ he said.
The governor said the economic measures introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration were difficult but necessary, adding that their benefits would become clearer as the reforms progress.
‘Because what we are seeing in Nigeria today is a reform. And that reform that is ongoing is a very difficult one,’ he said.
Using an aircraft taking off as an analogy, Okpebholo said the country was yet to reach the stage where Nigerians would begin to experience the full benefits of the reforms.
‘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,’ Okpebholo said.
He also cited road projects across Nigeria as evidence of development under Tinubu’s administration.
‘Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today-concrete pavement all over Nigeria,’ he said.
Okpebholo was speaking in support of the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba Road, a major route connecting Edo and Delta states that has deteriorated and created difficulties for motorists.
The ‘Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road’ event was organised amid efforts to address the condition of the highway.
The governor also expressed support for Tinubu’s continued stay in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election, questioning those seeking to challenge the President.
‘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 ongoing reforms would eventually take Nigeria to what he described as a ‘cruising level’, insisting that Edo State and the country 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 concluded by thanking participants at the event for showing concern over the condition of the Benin-Asaba Road.