Opposition parties have faulted the Federal Government’s 30 day petrol discount plan, calling it a political gimmick ahead of the 2027 elections.
Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, had on Thursday announced that NNPC stations will sell petrol at cost for 30 days.
“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days, with priority for public transporters nationwide,” Oyedele said. He said it was not a return to subsidy removed on May 29, 2023.
But former Vice President Atiku Abubakar opposed the move.
“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,” his campaign said through Phrank Shaibu.
“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,” Atiku added.
The Obidient Movement also kicked, through its spokesman Onyeka Dike, “For three years, Tinubu told Nigerians that the ‘baby steps of pain’ were necessary. Now, suddenly, a petrol discount is possible. So, what changed? Did subsidy suddenly become good because Peter Obi said he would restore it? Why the desperation as elections approach?”
Reacting, Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, described the opposition’s criticism as disappointing and accused them of playing politics with people’s welfare.
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