Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Federal Government’s recent and significant increase in international passport fees.
In a public statement, Obi expressed deep concern, describing the administration’s persistent tendency to impose heavy financial burdens on the citizenry as “becoming legendary.”
The new fee structure, which was announced on Thursday, sees the cost of a 32-page passport booklet rise to N100,000, while the 64-page version will now cost N200,000.
Obi pointed to the stark contrast between these new prices and the national reality, noting that the recently agreed minimum wage stands at just N70,000. This means the cost of a single passport now exceeds an entire month’s salary for a worker earning the minimum wage.
The former governor of Anambra State argued that the primary role of a government should be to make life easier for its people. Instead, he lamented that this administration continues to shift heavy burdens onto ordinary Nigerians, making essential documents and services increasingly unaffordable.
He called the situation alarming, emphasising that a passport is a fundamental right for citizens and a necessity for those seeking opportunities abroad.
Obi’s reaction highlights a growing frustration with economic policies that are perceived as placing additional strain on the populace, particularly at a time when many are struggling with the high cost of living.
His comments have added to a broader public discourse on the affordability of government services and the priorities of the current administration.
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cc: Daily Post NG
