Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to introduce a 30-day fuel discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company filling stations, describing the initiative as a short-term political measure rather than a solution to the country’s economic hardship.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said the proposed discount was an attempt to temporarily cushion the effects of high fuel prices as the 2027 elections draw closer.
He argued that Nigerians had endured years of soaring fuel prices, transport costs and food inflation, insisting that a one-month intervention would do little to address the underlying problems confronting households and businesses.
The former Vice President questioned what would happen after the 30-day period, saying motorists and commuters would eventually return to the same high costs if the government failed to implement a sustainable policy.
Atiku also faulted the limited scope of the proposal, noting that it was restricted to NNPC stations. He further demanded clarity on the amount motorists would save per litre and how the government intended to ensure that any reduction in fuel costs would translate into cheaper transport fares.
According to him, the government’s decision to consider a temporary fuel intervention amounts to an admission that Nigerians have been subjected to severe economic pressure, despite previous claims that substantial relief measures were difficult to implement.
Atiku renewed his call for a production-support mechanism tied to locally refined petroleum products, saying the policy should be properly budgeted and structured to ensure that consumers benefit while domestic refining is encouraged.
He maintained that Nigerians needed enduring economic relief rather than temporary measures, declaring that his political ambition remained focused on reducing the cost of living and making life more affordable for citizens.
