The Nigeria Democratic Congress has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of trying to bring back petrol subsidy through the “backdoor” after the Federal Government announced a 30-day fuel discount.
The government announced Thursday that petrol sold through Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stations would be discounted for 30 days, with public transport operators given priority.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele said the arrangement was not a return to subsidy but a plan to sell petrol at cost.
“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 said.
NDC Questions 30-Day Discount
The NDC described the policy as “tokenism” and a “Greek gift,” arguing that a one-month discount would not address the wider economic problems caused by the removal of petrol subsidy.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said, “Nigerians cannot be deceived,” while questioning what would happen to Nigerians who lost jobs or businesses because of higher fuel and operating costs.
Director also questioned whether enough NNPC stations would be available to serve more than 200 million Nigerians.
He warned that concentrating cheaper petrol at selected stations could cause congestion and safety problems.
“The attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy through the backdoor is not only mischievous but a sign of a government in free fall, ready to clutch at anything to survive,” Director said.
Atiku, Obidients Also Reject Move
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, also rejected the policy.
“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,” he said.
The Obidient Movement also criticised the policy.
Its media director, Onyeka Dike, asked why the government waited three years before introducing measures to reduce the impact of high fuel prices.
“For three years, Tinubu told Nigerians that the ‘baby steps of pain’ were necessary.
"Now, suddenly, a petrol discount is possible.
"So, what changed?” Dike asked.
The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organization also described the discount as a “deceitful and failed media stunt,” saying Nigerians needed a lasting reduction in fuel prices.
Federal Government Proposes ₦1,350 Landing-Cost Ceiling
The government has also proposed a ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on petrol’s ex-gantry or landing cost.
Oyedele said the proposal is designed to prevent global oil prices and exchange-rate movements from causing sudden increases at filling stations.
It does not mean petrol will necessarily sell for ₦1,350 per litre at the pump.
“Pump prices should not have to follow every swing in global crude or the exchange rate,” Oyedele said.
Under the proposal, refiners and importers would initially absorb costs above the ceiling and recover the difference when market conditions improve.
The government says the arrangement is neither subsidy nor price control.
The government says the fuel measures are part of a wider package that includes increased support for vulnerable households, credit for small businesses, faster rollout of compressed natural gas vehicles and a strategic fuel reserve.
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