Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount at NNPC stations, questioning whether it can provide lasting relief for Nigerians.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had announced on Thursday that the discount was not a subsidy, but an arrangement by the government to sell the petrol at cost.
In response, Atiku described the measure as a temporary intervention that would leave the underlying cost-of-living pressures unresolved, while the NDC called it “tokenism and deceit”.
In a statement on Thursday, issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused the administration of offering politically motivated relief after prolonged 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.
He questioned what would happen when the discount ended, arguing that a temporary reduction would not address transport fares and food prices.
“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 said the government had yet to specify the savings per litre or explain how any benefit to transport operators would translate into lower fares for passengers.
He reiterated his proposal for capped, budgeted production support tied to petrol refined in Nigeria, with safeguards intended to ensure that consumers benefit and local refining is supported.
“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.
In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC questioned the reach of the proposed intervention and accused the government of attempting to restore petrol subsidy indirectly.
The party’s statement quoted the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, as saying the discount would initially run for 30 days, with public transporters receiving priority.
“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 that explanation, describing the offer as inadequate to address the consequences it attributed to the removal of fuel subsidy.
“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 designated NNPC retail outlets could adequately serve the population and raised concerns about crowding at participating stations.
The party urged support for Obi and its candidates, saying, “His Excellency Peter Obi, under the NDC, will put Nigeria back on the right track.”
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