Atiku, NDC Fault 30-Day Petrol Discount

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have criticised the Nigerian Government’s plan to offer discounted petrol at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) retail stations for 30 days, arguing that the measure would provide only temporary relief from rising living costs.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele announced the arrangement on Thursday, explaining that it was not a return to fuel subsidy but a plan for the government to sell petrol at cost during the initial 30-day period.

Atiku, however, described the initiative as a short-term response that would leave Nigerians facing the same economic pressures once the discount expired.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused the administration of offering limited relief after years of high fuel prices and worsening living conditions.

He argued that Nigerians should not be expected to regard a one-month discount as a solution to the cost-of-living crisis, particularly when the government had not explained what would happen after the programme ended.

“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.

Atiku said the expiration of the discount could leave petrol prices, transport fares and food costs at their existing levels, adding that temporary price reductions would not resolve the broader economic challenges facing households.

He also questioned the absence of details on the amount customers would save per litre and how the discount would translate into lower transport fares for commuters.

The former vice president renewed his call for a budgeted and capped production-support arrangement tied to petrol refined locally. He said such a framework should include safeguards to ensure consumers benefit while domestic refining receives support.

“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 maintained that the government needed to provide sustained relief rather than introduce a measure with a fixed end date.

In a separate statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC also challenged the proposed discount, questioning its coverage and describing it as an attempt to reintroduce fuel subsidy through another arrangement.

The party cited Oyedele’s explanation that the discount would initially last for 30 days, with public transport operators given priority at participating NNPC stations nationwide.

The NDC rejected the government’s justification, arguing that the offer was insufficient to address the economic difficulties it said followed the removal of petrol subsidy.

It described the proposal as a token gesture and criticised the government for withdrawing subsidy without adequate consultation or measures to cushion the impact on Nigerians.

“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.

The party also questioned whether the designated NNPC stations could serve enough people across the country, warning that limited access could lead to overcrowding at participating outlets.

The NDC called on Nigerians to support Peter Obi and its candidates, presenting the party as an alternative to the current administration.