…Atiku’s ADC and Peter Obi’s NDC accuse government of offering temporary relief after years of fuel-driven hardship, questioning its reach, affordability and timing.
FRI OCT 09 2026-theGBJournal| Nigeria’s opposition has attacked President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, with Atiku Abubakar’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi’s Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) describing the measure as token relief that fails to address the deepening cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku called the initiative a “publicity stunt”, arguing that it offers Nigerians a month of discounted fuel without tackling persistently high transport fares and food prices.
The NDC dismissed it as “tokenism and deceit”, accusing the government of attempting to reintroduce fuel subsidy through the back door.
Both parties questioned why relief had been limited to 30 days and NNPC retail outlets, with the NDC warning that the designated stations might struggle to serve a population of more than 200 million.
Atiku also challenged the government to disclose the discount per litre and explain how savings would translate into lower transport fares for commuters.
The ADC urged the government to adopt a budgeted, capped production-support scheme tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, with safeguards to ensure consumers benefit.
The NDC, meanwhile, accused Tinubu’s administration of failing to cushion the impact of subsidy removal, citing job losses, business closures and pressure on public services.
It also questioned the practicality of concentrating discounted sales at selected filling stations.
The two parties framed the intervention as evidence of policy failure, although their statements offered different alternatives and political appeals ahead of the 2027 elections.
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