Vice President Kashim Shettima has taken a swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over his position on fuel subsidy, insisting that Nigerians need to look beyond the price of petrol in the country and compare it with what consumers pay in neighbouring African nations.
Speaking at an event, Shettima said he had respect for Obi but questioned his ability to offer practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges. He also criticised those advocating alternative economic policies, accusing them of relying on what he described as questionable statistics.
“Mr. Obi has absolutely nothing to offer,” the Vice President declared.
Shettima went on to compare petrol prices in Nigeria with those in Niger Republic, Benin Republic and Cameroon, arguing that fuel is more expensive in these countries than it is in Nigeria.
According to the figures he presented, a litre of petrol sells for about $0.85 (₦1,148.36) in Niger Republic, $1.28 (₦1,729.29) in Benin Republic and $1.44 (₦1,945.45) in Cameroon, compared with approximately ₦1,300 in Nigeria.
The Vice President also brought up Cameroon’s oil refining situation, claiming that the country’s only refinery had been shut down for about five to six years and alleging that the country had struggled to compete with cheaper fuel imported from Nigeria.
He warned that Nigeria should not return to a system where the government effectively subsidised fuel consumption beyond its borders, arguing that such an arrangement placed an unfair burden on the country.
“Unless we want to revert back to the old status quo of Nigeria being the godfather or the Father Christmas of Africa, of Nigerian oil going as far as Central African Republic,” Shettima said.
He urged Nigerians to carefully examine the facts and figures surrounding fuel pricing and subsidy policies before drawing conclusions, stressing the importance of making decisions based on reliable information.
“You have to make informed decision,” he told his audience.
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