Opposition parties and presidential campaign organisations have criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, describing the initiative as temporary relief that would do little to address the rising cost of living and the economic challenges facing Nigerians, Peak Newspaper reports.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) questioned the duration, implementation and potential impact of the proposed discount.
The criticism followed an announcement by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, that petrol would be sold at a discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) retail outlets for 30 days, with priority given to public transport operators nationwide.
Oyedele maintained that the intervention was not a subsidy but a decision to sell petrol at cost.
However, the opposition groups argued that the initiative would provide only short-term relief without addressing the underlying causes of high petrol prices, expensive transportation and rising food costs.
The NDC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the proposed discount as “tokenism and deceit,” arguing that it could not reverse the economic consequences of petrol subsidy removal.
The party said the government removed the subsidy without adequate consideration, 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 NDC also questioned what the government intended to do about Nigerians who had allegedly lost their jobs or suffered business closures following the removal of the subsidy.
It further raised concerns about the practicality of restricting discounted petrol sales to designated NNPC retail outlets, asking whether the available stations could adequately serve the country’s population.
The party argued that the arrangement could result in congestion and safety concerns, while describing the proposed intervention as an attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy through the backdoor.
The NDC subsequently urged Nigerians to support its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and other party candidates, promising that an Obi-led administration would put the country “back on the right track.”
Atiku Questions What Happens After 30 Days
Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, also rejected the proposed intervention, describing it as a “panic-driven publicity stunt” that would leave Nigerians facing the same economic difficulties once the discount expired.
In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president argued that a temporary reduction in petrol prices could not repair the damage caused by persistently high fuel costs.
Atiku described the initiative as a political response to public hardship rather than a comprehensive economic solution.
He questioned what would happen after the 30-day period, arguing that Nigerians could return to paying the same high prices while transportation and food costs remained elevated.
“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 statement said.
The ADC candidate also questioned the restriction of the discount to NNPC retail outlets and called for clearer information about the pricing arrangement.
He further expressed concern over whether transport operators benefiting from the discount would reduce passenger fares, arguing that lower petrol prices at filling stations would not automatically translate into cheaper transportation.
Atiku maintained that the government should adopt a more sustainable approach that directly supports domestic fuel production and ensures that the benefits reach consumers.
He reiterated his proposal for capped and budgeted production support tied to petrol refined in Nigeria, with safeguards intended to support local refining and protect consumers.
According to the statement, the proposed arrangement would provide more lasting relief than a temporary discount that expires after one month.
Atiku argued that Nigerians needed a long-term solution to the cost-of-living crisis rather than a short period of reduced petrol prices followed by a return to existing market conditions.
APM Campaign Organisation Criticises ₦60 Discount
The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, which is campaigning for the Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, also criticised the initiative.
The organisation described the reported ₦60 reduction as inadequate in view of the high cost of petrol and the broader economic difficulties experienced by Nigerians.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, the campaign organisation argued that citizens had expected a more substantial reduction in petrol prices.
It said the size of the discount, its restriction to NNPC-owned retail outlets and its limited duration would reduce the number of Nigerians able to benefit meaningfully from the intervention.
The organisation described the proposed reduction as an “offensive and provocative attempt to beguile Nigerians,” insisting that the government should introduce measures capable of producing a more significant and lasting reduction in fuel costs.
It also criticised what it described as an arrangement to sell crude oil to domestic refineries at $80 per barrel, arguing that the terms did not adequately reflect Nigeria’s position as a major oil-producing country.
The campaign organisation urged Nigerians to support Seyi Makinde, promising that an APM-led administration would harness and manage the country’s natural resources more transparently for the benefit of citizens.
Growing Debate Over Petrol Prices.
The reactions from the opposition parties and campaign organisations have intensified the debate over how the Federal Government intends to ease the economic pressure associated with high petrol prices.
While the government has described the 30-day initiative as a cost-based intervention rather than a subsidy, opposition figures argue that the measure is too limited in duration and scope to address the wider effects of expensive fuel on transportation, food prices, businesses and household spending.
A key issue raised by the critics is whether the discount will translate into lower transport fares and other costs for consumers, particularly if the benefit is limited to selected NNPC outlets.
The government’s proposed intervention is also being assessed against calls for more sustainable policies that support domestic refining, improve fuel affordability and reduce the pressure on households and businesses.
The central question remains whether the 30-day discount will provide meaningful relief to Nigerians and what measures, if any, will follow after the programme expires.
