The 2023 presidential candidate under the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s transport palliative.
The former Anambra State governor, in a statement on Thursday, stressed that “it is a step in the right direction.”
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, approved a 50 per cent slash in the price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians travelling during the yuletide from Thursday, December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024.
He, however, questioned the lack of a long-term plan to address the underlying issue of high transportation costs.
He pointed out that millions who had already travelled before the announcement bear the brunt of the original fares, leaving them uncompensated.
“The question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season,” Obi stated. “Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs?”
He urged the government to avoid “mere spin” and implement the policy with clear guidelines and safeguards. “The Nigerian people deserve more than temporary fixes,” he asserted. “Compassion is crucial, but it should not be used to exploit weak governance structures and encourage opaque policymaking.”
