The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has described fuel subsidy as an organised crime.

Obi made the statement on Monday while speaking on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ on what approach he would have taken differently in resolving the looming strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

“Fuel subsidy is organised crime. I said it repeatedly that it should be removed,” Obi said. “For me, the approach would have been, is to remove the corruption and criminal side of it and remove the excess demand.”

“By doing this, you would have reduced it by 50 per cent. The remaining 50 per cent is what we would have been able to, after consultation with various stakeholders in order to find a way in an organised manner, remove and show the proceed of the gains of the removal to be invested in critical development areas.”

Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, is known for vocal criticism of the Tinubu-led government, especially in managing public finances. He had pledged to remove fuel subsidy and invest the proceeds in critical development areas, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, if elected president.

He lost the 2023 election to President Bola Tinubu.