The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has expressed disapproval of the Federal Government's decision to reduce petrol prices at NNPC filling stations for 30 days. The council described the move as a temporary measure aimed at appeasing Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election. ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the decision was an admission that the government's economic policies had caused severe hardship for Nigerians.
The criticism follows comments by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announcing the reduced petrol prices for the next month. Ologbondiyan argued that the government's decision was a bribe, saying Nigerians would not accept a one-month relief. He questioned what would happen after the 30-day period, asking whether petrol prices would return to over N1,400 per litre.
The ADC-PCC praised its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for consistently criticizing the Federal Government's economic policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy without adequate social protection. The council stated that the latest reduction supported Atiku's previous argument that Nigerians could have access to petrol at significantly lower prices.
Ologbondiyan further argued that the temporary reduction raised questions about why Nigerians had been left to cope with high fuel costs for over 800 days. He stated that if the government could reduce the burden of fuel costs for 30 days, it had the capacity to make life easier for Nigerians but chose not to do so.
The council urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist being swayed by temporary concessions, while presenting the ADC as an alternative under Atiku Abubakar's leadership. Ologbondiyan said the temporary relief would not erase the economic difficulties Nigerians had experienced, including inflation, hunger, unemployment, reduced purchasing power, and insecurity.
The ADC-PCC described the government's decision as deceitful and not genuine governance. Ologbondiyan stated that no one-month palliative could buy the conscience of Nigerians, and they had seen through the government's fraud. He emphasized that Nigerians would vote out hardship and hunger in 2027.
The opposition party's criticism comes as Nigerians continue to face economic challenges. The ADC-PCC's statement reflects concerns about the government's handling of the fuel subsidy and economic policies. The 2027 general election is expected to be a significant event in Nigeria's political landscape.
Key points
- The ADC-PCC criticizes the government's 30-day fuel price cut as a bribe ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The opposition party praises Atiku Abubakar for consistently criticizing the government's economic policies.
- The council urges Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist being swayed by temporary concessions.
