By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged opposition parties criticising the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount initiative to present credible alternatives, insisting that Nigerians’ welfare should take precedence over political considerations.
The party urged opposition leaders to move beyond condemning the intervention and explain what they would do differently, how their proposals would be funded and how quickly such measures would deliver tangible relief to Nigerians.
The Lagos APC made the call in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, on Friday, amid mixed reactions to the Federal Government’s temporary intervention aimed at cushioning the impact of rising global crude oil prices.
The Federal Government had announced that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets would forgo their profit margins and sell petrol at cost for 30 days, with priority given to public transport operators.
Oladejo said that with Nigerians grappling with rising transportation, food and household expenses, a responsible opposition should acknowledge credible efforts to provide relief while offering constructive and practical alternatives.
“The welfare of Nigerians must come before the political convenience of the opposition,” he said.
He described what he called reflexive condemnation of the initiative as “political opportunism masquerading as economic criticism”, arguing that criticism should be accompanied by workable proposals to address the country’s economic challenges.
Oladejo noted that the Federal Government had clarified that the arrangement was not a return to blanket fuel subsidy but a temporary, targeted discount on profit margins, alongside other measures intended to moderate price pressures.
He, however, acknowledged that questions about the initiative’s effectiveness were legitimate, stressing the need for transparency, proper implementation and measurable results.
“Whether the arrangement will deliver its intended benefits is a legitimate question. Its implementation, transparency, reach and measurable impact should be scrutinised. But scrutiny is not the same as reflexive condemnation, and accountability does not require political cynicism,” he said.
On concerns about the sustainability of the intervention beyond the 30-day period, the Lagos APC said the question was valid but should not be used to dismiss the immediate relief the initiative might provide.
The party urged the Federal Government to communicate the details of the arrangement clearly, ensure that the intended beneficiaries received the benefits and explain the measures that would follow before the intervention expired.
“Nigerians deserve nothing less,” the statement said.
Addressing claims that the initiative amounted to a return of fuel subsidy through the back door, the party urged opposition leaders to assess the policy based on its merits, including its financing and safeguards against abuse, rather than rely on political labels.
“If the opposition has credible evidence of fiscal irresponsibility or legal irregularity, it should present that evidence,” Oladejo said.
The party admitted that a 30-day discount alone could not resolve the country’s cost-of-living challenges, calling for sustained measures to stabilise prices, improve domestic refining and fuel distribution, reduce logistics costs, support public transportation and strengthen Nigerians’ purchasing power.
“The opposition cannot credibly demand immediate relief on one day and condemn an attempt to provide it the next, without presenting a more workable alternative,” he said.
Oladejo challenged opposition parties that considered the arrangement inadequate to explain precisely what they would do differently, how they would finance their proposals and how quickly their alternatives would produce tangible benefits.
The Lagos APC said it welcomed the initiative as a step towards providing immediate relief but insisted that implementation must be transparent, the benefits verifiable and subsequent measures clearly communicated.
“Our position is straightforward: support what helps Nigerians, scrutinise what requires scrutiny and improve what needs improvement,” the statement said.
“The difference between constructive opposition and opportunistic opposition is simple: one offers better answers; the other merely objects to the answers on the table. Nigeria deserves the former.”
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