Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) stations, arguing that the temporary measure will not provide lasting relief from the rising cost of living.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the initiative on Thursday, explaining that it was not a fuel subsidy but an arrangement to sell petrol at cost for an initial period of 30 days, with public transport operators given priority.
Atiku described the initiative as a temporary intervention that would leave the underlying economic pressures facing Nigerians unresolved, while the NDC dismissed it as “tokenism and deceit”.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused the administration of offering short-term relief after years of rising fuel prices and economic hardship.
“Atiku totally rejects this calendar-scheduled, election-laced subsidy package. Nigerians are not fools to be offered a month of discounted fuel after years of punishing prices and then expected to forget the hardship when the discount expires. This is shameless and heartless,” the statement said.
The former vice president questioned what would happen after the 30-day period, arguing that Nigerians would still face high transport fares and food prices once the discount ended.
“What happens on Day 31? Nigerians wake up to the same brutal prices, the same punishing transport fares and the same rising cost of food. The government cannot manufacture relief for one month and expect Nigerians to applaud while the hardship remains,” he said.
Atiku also faulted the government for failing to specify the savings consumers would receive per litre or explain how the discount would translate into lower fares for passengers using public transport.
He reiterated his proposal for capped and budgeted production support tied to petrol refined in Nigeria, with safeguards to ensure consumers benefit while domestic refining is encouraged.
“Nigerians need lasting relief, not a countdown to the return of hardship. Tinubu’s government cannot spend years telling Nigerians to endure, then offer 30 days of relief and call it a solution,” he said.
NDC Questions Reach of Petrol Discount
In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC questioned the effectiveness of the proposed intervention and accused the government of indirectly reintroducing petrol subsidy.
The party cited Oyedele’s explanation that the discount would initially last 30 days, with priority given to public transport operators nationwide.
“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance, with priority for public transporters nationwide. So, it’s not a subsidy. The government is just saying we sell to you at cost,” Oyedele was quoted as saying.
The NDC rejected the explanation, arguing that the offer was inadequate to address the economic consequences of fuel subsidy removal.
“This is nothing but tokenism and a Greek gift from a government that whimsically removed fuel subsidy without proper consideration, consultation, or cushions for Nigerians,” the party said.
It also questioned whether the participating NNPC retail outlets would be sufficient to serve the population, warning of possible congestion at designated stations.
The party urged Nigerians to support Peter Obi and its candidates, stating: “His Excellency Peter Obi, under the NDC, will put Nigeria back on the right track.”
Follow us on:
Author
