Duke Faults Tinubu, Atiku, Obi’s Subsidy Debate, Declares Petrol Should Cost N200

Former Cross River State governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, Donald Duke, has criticized the ongoing fuel subsidy debate among President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi. Duke dismissed the talk of fuel subsidy as a "scam," arguing that Nigeria's crude oil resources could make petrol significantly cheaper for Nigerians.

He pointed out that from a barrel of crude oil, there are about seven by-products, including diesel, petrol, PMS, AGO, kerosene, aviation fuel, and others. Duke believes that by selling these by-products at commercial rates, petrol could be sold at around N200 per litre, rather than the current price of over N1,000. This statement came as the three political figures proposed different solutions to the rising cost of petrol and its impact on the Nigerian economy.

Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, arguing that the policy was unsustainable and that funds previously allocated for subsidy could be redirected to development. Atiku has suggested a targeted subsidy to help alleviate the impact of high living costs, while Obi supports the removal of subsidies but calls for greater transparency in the use of the savings.

However, Duke argued that the debate was overlooking Nigeria's vast energy resources and the need to exploit them for the benefit of citizens. He criticized the country's continued flaring of natural gas, which he said amounted to 20 million litres of diesel daily, which could power all of Africa.