The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has lamented the new 5% tax on all refined fossil fuel sales, including petrol and diesel.

In a post on his official X handle late on Wednesday, Obi said instead of easing hardship, the government has imposed more burden on Nigerians.

The former Anambra State governor stated that the 5% fuel tax should have waited until Nigerians begin to see tangible improvements in their lives from all the many promises from President Bola Tinubu.

“Nigerians will pay a 5% tax when buying their everyday fuel or diesel at a time when millions can hardly even afford the cost of transportation.

Mr. President just yesterday boasted that Nigeria has met its revenue target for the year. Yet instead of easing hardship, the government imposes more burden on Nigerians.

Even the so-called alternative, CNG, has become unaffordable, rising from about N230 to N450, while the promised subsidies on the CNG have quietly vanished.

If our revenues are truly ‘excessive’ as claimed, should they not first be used to fund education, healthcare, and pulling Nigerians out of poverty? Why tax citizens who cannot even breathe anymore?” he asked.

According to him, leadership is not about giving a burden but reducing suffering, and about care and compassion.