Atiku criticizes Tinubu’s one-month fuel discount

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed the federal government’s plan for a 30-day fuel discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) stations. He called it an election tactic that will only give temporary relief to Nigerians.

In a statement released on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, who is the Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned why the government is making this move now, just before the 2027 general elections.

He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of trying to offer short-term relief after years of increasing fuel prices and higher living costs.

“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,” the statement read.

The former vice president also raised concerns about what would happen when the discount ends.

“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 government cannot manufacture relief for one month and expect Nigerians to applaud while the hardship remains,” he added.

Atiku pointed out that the discount is only available at NNPC retail stations and noted that the government has not explained how much motorists will save per litre.

He questioned if any savings for commercial transport operators would lead to lower fares for passengers.

The former vice president argued that the government’s plan goes against its earlier criticism of his proposal to subsidise petrol products produced in Nigeria.

“This volte-face proves that the production-support proposal I have advanced is workable, achievable and not complicated. The Tinubu government and its spin doctors have tried to make it sound impossible, yet they are now reaching for a temporary subsidy-style intervention because the pain has become impossible to ignore,” he explained.

Atiku continued to push for capped and budgeted production support for locally refined petrol, with guarantees that consumers will enjoy lower prices.

“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 stated.

He concluded, “Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again.”