Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said Nigerians are paying less for petrol compared to motorists in the United Kingdom, where he claimed the product sells for over ₦3,000 per litre.
Okpebholo stated this on Thursday at the "Operation Rescue Benin-Asaba Road" event in Edo State.
The governor said he made the comparison during a visit to London last week.
"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.
According to him, the comparison shows that Nigerians are "doing very well" with the current pump price.
"We are doing very well here. The President is stabilising the economy. He's an economist," Okpebholo said.
The governor acknowledged the hardship caused by the economic reforms of the Federal Government, including the removal of petrol subsidy, but said the reforms were necessary and would soon yield results.
He likened the reforms to an aircraft taking off.
"When a plane is taking off, do you see them serving food? 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," he said.
Okpebholo pointed to ongoing road construction across the country as evidence of development under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
"Look at the kind of roads that are being constructed today — concrete pavement all over Nigeria," he said.
Speaking on the Benin-Asaba Road, which links Edo and Delta States and has deteriorated in recent months, the governor commended the Federal Government's intervention to rehabilitate the highway.
He also declared support for President Tinubu's re-election in 2027, saying the President should be allowed to continue.
"Is Aso Rock vacant? Aso Rock is not vacant. I agree with the Oba of Benin that said, 'You don't change a working President,'" he said.
Okpebholo added that both Edo State and the country were in "safe hands" under the current administration.
