News, Politics

Dada Olusegun, Tinubu’s Media Aide Fires Back at Peter Obi Over Fuel Price Criticism

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 14th, 2026.

Tinubu’s Media Aide Fires Back at Peter Obi Over Fuel Price Criticism

A senior social media aide to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dada Olusegun, has strongly criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, over his recent comments concerning rising fuel prices in Nigeria.

Olusegun, in a statement shared on social media platform X on Saturday, dismissed Obi’s position on the issue, describing the former Anambra State governor’s remarks as misleading and lacking a full understanding of the complexities surrounding the country’s fuel pricing system.

The reaction followed a statement released earlier by Obi, where he attributed the country’s vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations to the absence of a strategic petroleum reserve and what he described as insufficient government planning. According to reports by The Punch, Obi had pointed out that petrol prices had risen sharply in recent weeks, with pump prices reportedly climbing from below ₦1,000 per litre to more than ₦1,200, while diesel prices had also increased to above ₦1,500 per litre.

Obi linked the price hikes partly to tensions involving Iran, which have affected global crude oil prices. He argued that countries with strategic petroleum reserves are better equipped to manage supply shocks by releasing reserves to stabilise domestic markets.

However, Olusegun rejected that argument, insisting that the immediate cause of fuel price fluctuations in Nigeria is the deregulated nature of the petroleum market following the removal of fuel subsidies by the Tinubu administration.

“In a deregulated market, fuel prices naturally respond to global crude oil prices, exchange rate movements, transportation costs, and supply risks,” he explained. “When international oil prices rise due to geopolitical tensions, countries that depend heavily on imported refined products, like Nigeria, will inevitably feel the impact.”

Reports by The Guardian Nigeria also noted that the presidential aide argued that strategic petroleum reserves are not typically used to control everyday fuel prices, but rather for emergency situations such as wars, embargoes, or major disruptions to supply chains.

Olusegun further emphasised that Nigeria’s long-standing vulnerability in the energy sector stems largely from structural issues, including limited domestic refining capacity and reliance on imported refined petroleum products despite being a major crude oil producer.

According to him, addressing the country’s energy challenges requires broader reforms such as expanding local refining operations, strengthening supply chains, stabilising the foreign exchange market, and maintaining consistent energy policies.

He also reminded Obi that during the 2023 presidential campaign he had publicly supported the removal of fuel subsidies if elected into office.

“It is important to recall that the same market-driven framework now influencing fuel prices is one that Mr Obi himself indicated he would adopt if elected,” Olusegun stated.

The presidential aide concluded by urging the former governor to approach complex economic issues with greater caution, arguing that oversimplifying global energy market dynamics could mislead the public.

Political observers cited by The Nation say the exchange highlights the continuing political rivalry between leading figures from Nigeria’s major political blocs as debates over economic policy intensify amid rising living costs.