Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s planned 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited filling stations, describing the initiative as a temporary political measure that would do little to address the country’s economic hardship.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of offering short-term relief after years of rising fuel prices and increasing living costs.
The former vice president described the initiative as a publicity stunt, arguing that a month-long discount would not resolve the financial difficulties facing households and businesses.
He said the government’s decision to introduce the intervention after prolonged economic hardship raised questions about its commitment to providing sustainable relief for Nigerians.
Atiku rejected the proposed discount, saying Nigerians should not be expected to accept temporary relief after enduring years of high petrol prices, rising transportation fares and escalating food costs.
He questioned what would happen when the 30-day window expired, arguing that the underlying economic challenges would remain unresolved.
“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 also faulted the limited scope of the initiative, noting that the government had yet to clarify how much consumers would save per litre or explain how the discount would translate into lower transportation fares for commuters.
He further argued that the proposed intervention contradicted the administration’s previous position on providing relief from high fuel prices, describing the policy shift as evidence that alternative measures could be implemented.
According to Atiku, the development reinforces his position that production support could help ease the burden of fuel costs if properly designed and implemented.
He reiterated his proposal for a capped and budgeted production support scheme tied to petrol refined locally, with safeguards to ensure that consumers benefit from the intervention and domestic refining receives support.
Atiku maintained that the government should focus on policies capable of delivering sustained reductions in the cost of living rather than introducing temporary measures that leave Nigerians exposed to the same economic pressures once they expire.
He said the country needed a lasting solution to high fuel prices and their impact on transportation, food prices and business operations.
The former vice president also reaffirmed his commitment to making essential goods and services more affordable, insisting that Nigerians deserved sustainable economic relief rather than short-term interventions.