Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state has stated that motorists in the United Kingdom pay the equivalent of more than N3,000 for a litre of petrol in defense of the prevailing cost of the product in Nigeria.
Okpebholo made the comparison on Thursday while speaking at the “Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road” event in Edo State.
The governor said he visited London the previous week and used the opportunity to compare petrol prices in the UK with what Nigerians pay at home.
He said, “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 N3,000-something for one litre of fuel.”
According to Okpebholo, the comparison showed that petrol was still relatively cheaper in Nigeria.
“We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He’s an economist,” the governor said.
His remarks come amid persistent concerns over the cost of petrol and other essential commodities following the removal of fuel subsidy and subsequent adjustments in pump prices.
Okpebholo also defended the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing them as difficult measures that would eventually produce positive results.
He likened the reforms to the take-off of an aircraft, arguing that passengers would have to wait until the plane reached cruising altitude before receiving certain services.
“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,” he said.
“I want to let you know, very soon Nigeria will be on the cruising level. Nigeria will be on a cruising level.”
The governor also cited ongoing road construction projects 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 significantly and posed challenges to motorists.
Beyond the road project, Okpebholo also expressed support for Tinubu’s continued stay in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He questioned those seeking to challenge the President, saying, “Is Aso Rock vacant? Is Aso Rock vacant? So Aso Rock is not vacant.”
The governor further endorsed a position attributed to the Oba of Benin, saying, “I agree with the Oba of Benin that said, ‘You don’t change a working President.’”
Okpebholo maintained that the ongoing reforms would eventually move the country to a “cruising level”, expressing confidence in the future of Edo State and Nigeria.
He said, “That means even when Asiwaju leaves, whoever President that comes in the future after him, I want to let them know that Edo is in a safe hand (sic). Nigeria is also in safe hands.”