Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s reintroduction of a fuel subsidy through a 30-day discount on petrol sold at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) stations.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, described the measure as a temporary intervention that would do little to address the hardship caused by high fuel prices.
He accused the Tinubu administration of introducing the policy as the 2027 election approaches, arguing that Nigerians had endured rising transportation and living costs for years without adequate relief.
Atiku questioned the sustainability of the 30-day arrangement, asking what would happen once the discount expires and petrol prices return to their previous levels.
He also raised concerns about the scope of the intervention, noting that it applies to NNPC stations and that the government has yet to disclose how much motorists would save per litre or how transport operators would be expected to pass the savings on to commuters.
The former vice president said the development was a departure from the administration’s previous position on fuel subsidies and argued that it showed his proposed production-support model was achievable.
Atiku reiterated his proposal for a capped and budgeted production-support scheme tied to petrol refined locally, with safeguards to ensure that the benefits reach consumers and support domestic refineries.
He said Nigerians needed a lasting solution to the cost-of-living crisis rather than temporary relief, and restated his commitment to making living more affordable.