Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has said Nigerians are “doing very well” with the current price of petrol, citing the cost of the commodity in the United Kingdom as a comparison.
Okpebholo made the remarks on Thursday at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State, where he also defended the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The governor said he travelled to London the previous week and decided to compare petrol prices in the UK with what motorists pay in Nigeria.
“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 3,000-something for one litre of fuel,” he said.
Okpebholo said the comparison showed that Nigerians were paying less for petrol.
“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” he said.
His comments come amid continued concerns over the cost of petrol and other essential commodities following the removal of the petrol subsidy and subsequent changes in pump prices.
The governor acknowledged that the Federal Government’s economic reforms were difficult but said they would eventually produce positive 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.
He compared the reforms to an aircraft taking off, saying passengers do not receive food until the plane reaches cruising altitude.
“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be at cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level,” Okpebholo said.
The governor also pointed to road construction across the country as evidence of development under the Tinubu administration.
“Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today—concrete pavement all over Nigeria,” he said.
Okpebholo spoke in support of the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba Road, a major highway linking Edo and Delta states that has deteriorated and caused difficulties for motorists.
The event, tagged “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road”, was held as part of efforts to address the condition of the highway.
The governor also endorsed Tinubu’s continued presidency, questioning whether the presidential seat was available to other contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Is Aso Rock vacant? Is Aso Rock vacant? So Aso Rock is not vacant,” he said.
He added: “I agree with the Oba of Benin that said, ‘You don’t change a working President.’”
Okpebholo said the economic reforms would eventually place Nigeria on a “cruising level”, adding that Edo State and the country were in “safe hands”.
“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,” he said.
The governor concluded by thanking those who attended the event for their concern over the condition of the Benin-Asaba Road.
