Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni has accused the Federal Government of hypocrisy over its decision to introduce a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, filling stations.
Oseni argued that the discount amounted to a return of fuel subsidy despite the position of the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, that the measure was not a subsidy.
The broadcaster made the remarks on Friday during The Morning Show, an Arise Television programme.
He questioned why the government, which had consistently opposed the return of fuel subsidy, introduced the petrol discount for only 30 days, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general election gathered momentum.
Oseni also commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for bringing the need to cushion the effects of rising petrol prices to the forefront of public debate.
He recalled that Atiku, in a speech delivered on September 18, argued that President Bola Tinubu could rename the intervention and take credit for it, provided it reduced the burden on Nigerians.
According to Oseni, the government had failed to introduce sufficient relief measures for Nigerians despite the rise in global crude oil prices since March 8.
He said the decision to offer a petrol discount demonstrated that the government could intervene to ease the burden on citizens, contrary to its earlier position that fuel subsidy should not return.
Oseni said: “Subsidy is back. Welcome back, subsidy. The fact that the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, says it’s not a subsidy does not mean it’s not a subsidy.
“Read my lips. It is a subsidy, and it is back. Who do we have to thank? Atiku Abubakar. I never knew there would be a day I would thank you, Atiku Abubakar.
“If not for you, this government wouldn’t have thought of any reprieve for anybody. If not for you, who brought the subsidy issue to the front burner, the government wouldn’t have thought of anything to cushion the effects of rising petrol prices, which have exceeded $100 per barrel since March 8.
“But today, Atiku Abubakar, take your flowers. On September 18, Atiku gave a speech, and I will quote that speech. He said, ‘President Bola Tinubu can even rename it and take the glory, as long as the pain is less on the people.’
“So, it is possible. You see, hypocrisy is so much in this country. Government officials spent all these months defending their position and saying, ‘No, subsidy should not come back. It is an aberration.
“If we do this, if we do that, it’s an aberration.’ But when it’s one month to the election, they quickly bring it back for 30 days.
“But, as people have asked, after 30 days, when they have switched people off and held the election, will we see the outcome and then they will take it back?
“This is because a government that didn’t care for you since March 8, when petrol prices reached $100 per barrel, has now introduced a discount in the middle of October for just one month.
“So, we have seen that it was possible. This was the same President Tinubu who told us, ‘Hypocrisy is so much in this country.’ He said the state governors should use CNG to reduce transportation costs. That’s why they were pushing CNG. So, now you’ve gone back and given people a discount.
“For those who are saying it’s a discount, not a subsidy, okay, who will bear the cost of the lost profit? You people fail to understand, in basic economics, that your profit is also used to invest in a business. So, when you make the argument that it’s a discount, not a subsidy…”