Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his disapproval of the Federal Government's proposed 30-day fuel discount at NNPC stations. In a statement released on Thursday, Atiku described the measure as a panic-driven publicity stunt aimed at temporarily easing the hardship caused by high petrol prices. He argued that the government had allowed Nigerians to endure years of rising fuel, transport, and food costs before suddenly introducing a 30-day discount as the 2027 election approaches.
Atiku's position was contained in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council. The former Vice President said the proposed discount was a desperate and temporary gesture that could not address the wider economic difficulties Nigerians had faced since the removal of petrol subsidy. According to him, the government had failed to provide a comprehensive economic policy to address the rising costs, and instead opted for a short-term solution.
Atiku questioned the scope and effectiveness of the proposed discount, noting that it would be limited to NNPC stations. He also sought clarification on how much motorists would actually save per litre and whether transport operators would pass on the reduction to passengers through lower fares. Atiku argued that the government's decision to introduce the temporary relief was an admission that the hardship resulting from high fuel prices had become too severe to ignore.
The former Vice President insisted that Nigerians needed a permanent solution to the cost-of-living crisis rather than a short-term reduction that would expire after one month. He emphasized that the government's volte-face proved that his earlier proposal for production support tied to locally refined petrol was workable and achievable. Atiku had advocated for capped and budgeted production support for fuel refined in Nigeria, with safeguards to ensure that the benefits reached consumers while also encouraging domestic refining.
Atiku's criticism is part of his long-running opposition to the manner in which President Bola Tinubu's administration has handled the removal of petrol subsidy. Tinubu announced the removal of the subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, declaring that "fuel subsidy is gone." The decision immediately triggered a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher transportation and food costs across the country.
The President had defended the policy on the grounds that the subsidy was too expensive for Nigeria to sustain and that the funds could instead be redirected to infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation, and national security. In a national broadcast on July 31, 2023, Tinubu said, "Subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly," arguing that the resources would be better spent on "public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing, and even national security."
Atiku had initially not opposed the removal of the subsidy but had become concerned about what happened to the money the government said it would save. He added that if he wins the presidential election, he will restore the subsidy and anyone who stole Nigeria's subsidy funds must return the money. The latest criticism from Atiku highlights the ongoing debate over the government's handling of fuel pricing and the need for a comprehensive economic policy to address the rising costs.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar criticizes the government's 30-day fuel discount plan as an election-laced publicity stunt.
- The former Vice President advocates for a permanent solution to the cost-of-living crisis.
- Atiku questions the scope and effectiveness of the proposed discount, citing its limitations to NNPC stations.
