By Naomi Sharang
The Obidient Movement says a Peter Obi administration will introduce a proposed half-price petrol policy, backed by transparent subsidy payments and independent verification of fuel sales.
The movement made the proposal in a statement signed by Onyeka Dike of its Media and Communications Directorate, on Friday in Abuja.
Dike said the proposed policy would be designed to make petrol more affordable while ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.
According to him, subsidy payments will be based on a reference price determined weekly by an independent panel using international benchmarks, freight costs and verified local costs.
He said payments to refiners, depot operators and marketers would be tied to verified petrol sales at filling stations.
Dike also proposed digital tracking of petroleum products from refineries to filling stations to improve transparency and prevent inflated claims.
He called for equal access to Nigerian crude by licensed local refineries, saying transparent rules would promote competition and accountability in the petroleum sector.
Dike further proposed monthly public reports detailing reference prices, volumes of petrol sold, subsidy payments, beneficiaries, penalties, recoveries and independent audit findings.
He said the proposed funding framework would be submitted to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative and budgetary provisions.
Dike also called for audits of energy security contracts, measures to reduce crude production costs and stronger pipeline protection through partnerships with host communities.
On the Federal Government’s fuel intervention, Dike questioned the reported daily petrol consumption figures, citing the difference between figures attributed to President Bola Tinubu in September 2024 and those cited by the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, in October 2026.
He urged the government to publish the data and methodology used to determine daily petrol consumption to enable independent verification.
Dike argued that transparent accounting was necessary to address concerns about the management of petroleum subsidy payments.
He also questioned the relationship between the government’s position on subsidy removal and its recently announced 30-day petrol discount.
Dike said its proposed policy would seek to provide sustained relief to Nigerians through a structured system supported by legislative oversight, public disclosure and independent audits.
He added that the objective was to ensure that public resources were properly managed while making petrol more affordable for consumers. (NAN)
