By Our Reporter
Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government over its recent decision to increase the cost of international passports.
Obi said the policy once again highlights the administration’s tendency to heap more burdens on struggling Nigerians.
AljazirahNigeria had earlier reported that the new rates set by the Nigeria Immigration Service place the cost of a 32-page international passport at ₦100,000, while a 64-page booklet now comes at ₦200,000.
Taking to his official X handle on Thursday, Obi minced no words, stating:
“The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary.”
He went on to highlight how the fee hike far outpaces the earnings of ordinary workers: in a country where the new minimum wage is ₦70,000, the cost of a single passport now surpasses a worker’s entire monthly salary.
Obi also flagged the frequency of hikes, noting this is the third increase in just two years, further straining the financial capacity of average Nigerians.
He added that instead of finding ways to ease the economic strain on citizens, government policies continue to worsen their plight.
According to him, the increase reflects misplaced priorities at a time when Nigerians are already grappling with rising living costs.
