Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, describing the measure as a temporary intervention that would not address the economic hardship caused by high fuel prices.
Atiku stated this in an article written by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The former vice-president said the proposed discount was coming after years of rising petrol prices and worsening cost-of-living pressures under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He argued that Nigerians should not be expected to regard a one-month reduction in petrol prices as a solution to the economic difficulties they have endured.
“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,” he said.
Atiku also questioned the sustainability of the intervention, asking what Nigerians would face after the 30-day period.
“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,” he said.
The former vice-president further questioned the scope of the proposed discount, noting that the Federal Government had announced that it would apply to petrol sold at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) filling stations.
He said the government had yet to disclose how much motorists would save per litre or provide guarantees that any savings received by public transport operators would translate into reduced fares for passengers.
According to Atiku, the decision to introduce the temporary intervention showed that the government could no longer ignore the hardship associated with high petrol prices.
“This volte-face proves that the production-support proposal I have advanced is workable, achievable and not complicated,” he said.
Atiku reiterated his proposal for capped and budgeted production support tied to petrol refined in Nigeria, with safeguards intended to ensure that consumers benefit while domestic refining is supported.
He called on the Federal Government to pursue a sustainable approach rather than provide temporary relief that would expire after one month.
“Nigerians need lasting relief, not a countdown to the return of hardship. Tinubu’s government cannot spend years telling Nigerians to endure, then offer 30 days of relief and call it a solution,” he said.
The Federal Government had earlier announced a 30-day discount on petrol sold at NNPC filling stations, with public transport operators expected to receive priority.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the plan on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja.
Oyedele also said the government would operate a negotiated landing cost for petrol, subject to monthly review.
Atiku, however, maintained that Nigerians needed a more permanent reduction in the cost of living.
“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again,” he said.
