Nigerians Cannot Bear More Hardship, Obidient Movement Rejects Government’s Proposed Five Percent Fuel Tax

 

The Federal Government’s proposal to introduce a five percent surcharge on petrol has sparked outrage from the Obidient Movement, which described the policy as another instrument of oppression targeting ordinary citizens. The group, led by its National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday warning that the move would not only escalate the cost of living but also plunge millions further into poverty.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, recently announced the new levy as part of President Bola Tinubu’s sweeping tax reform agenda. According to Oyedele, the surcharge is expected to fund road infrastructure projects and reduce logistics costs, creating a ripple effect that benefits the wider economy. While the government frames it as a strategic step toward national development, the Obidient Movement has dismissed it as nothing more than a recycled promise with little chance of genuine delivery.

Tanko recalled how Nigerians had endured repeated cycles of tax and levy impositions under past administrations, each justified by lofty promises of improved services and infrastructure. He stressed that these commitments rarely materialized, instead deepening the mistrust between government and citizens. “For decades, Nigerians have been fed the same promises: new levies will ‘fix our roads,’ ‘power our hospitals,’ and ‘transform our economy.’ Instead, trillions vanish into the pockets of corrupt elites while our highways crumble, transport costs skyrocket, and ordinary Nigerians are pushed deeper into poverty,” he declared.

The movement highlighted the critical role of petrol in daily life across Nigeria. Unlike luxury items, fuel is a necessity for transportation, power generation, and small-scale businesses that keep communities alive. According to Tanko, any attempt to raise fuel-related costs would therefore directly target the most vulnerable citizens, compounding their financial struggles in an already difficult economic climate. He pointed to recent inflationary pressures, rising food prices, and stagnant wages as evidence that the population simply cannot absorb another layer of taxation.

Far from rejecting taxation outright, the Obidient Movement emphasized the need for smarter, fairer fiscal policies. Tanko urged the government to widen the tax base by bringing more of the wealthy and untaxed sectors into the net, while also exploring progressive taxes on luxury goods and high-end consumption. He further recommended aggressive cuts to wasteful government spending, arguing that Nigeria’s leaders must demonstrate sacrifice before asking citizens to shoulder additional burdens.

The statement also underscored the absence of accountability in the current system, which has led to public cynicism whenever new levies are proposed. The group insisted that before any additional fuel-related taxes can be considered, the Federal Government must establish transparent monitoring mechanisms, credible anti-corruption safeguards, and visible relief programs for the struggling masses. “We want good roads, reliable infrastructure, and a strong economy. But these goals cannot and must not be pursued on the backs of already impoverished Nigerians. Until transparency, equity, and fairness guide our fiscal policies, we reject this 5% surcharge as yet another instrument of oppression against the people,” the movement asserted.

The controversy adds to the mounting pressure on the Tinubu administration, which has already faced widespread criticism over its economic policies, especially following the removal of fuel subsidies earlier in the year. While officials argue that reforms are necessary to stabilize public finances and attract investment, many Nigerians complain that such measures only increase their suffering without offering tangible benefits.

Economic analysts observing the debate note that the fuel surcharge could indeed provide a steady revenue stream for infrastructure if implemented with strict accountability. However, they caution that without visible proof of responsible management, the levy risks being viewed as another channel for waste and corruption. Citizens, they say, are weary of paying into systems that rarely deliver improvements in return.

The Obidient Movement’s rejection of the policy taps into wider frustrations that have grown louder since last year’s elections. The group, which grew around supporters of Peter Obi, has consistently positioned itself as the voice of ordinary Nigerians demanding fairness, transparency, and accountability from government institutions. Its latest warning adds moral weight to the arguments of millions already skeptical of the state’s promises.

Whether the Tinubu administration chooses to reconsider the surcharge or presses ahead regardless will test the government’s sensitivity to public opinion. What is certain is that the policy has already stirred national conversation, forcing citizens and policymakers alike to confront the difficult balance between raising revenue and protecting those who can least afford additional costs.