₦60 Fuel Discount: Ondo ADC Slams Tinubu, Says Atiku Deserves Credit for Subsidy Restoration

₦60 Fuel Discount: Ondo ADC Slams Tinubu, Says Atiku Deserves Credit for Subsidy Restoration

The party describes the discount as inadequate relief for Nigerians battling rising petrol prices, transportation costs and the high cost of living ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Ondo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over its reported ₦60-per-litre petrol discount, describing the measure as inadequate to address the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.

The party also commended former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for advocating the restoration of fuel subsidy, arguing that government policies should prioritise citizens’ welfare and provide meaningful relief from the rising cost of living.

The ADC’s position was contained in a press statement signed by its Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Remi Ofakunrin, in which the party accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of offering Nigerians insufficient relief amid soaring fuel prices and declining purchasing power.

According to the statement, the reported ₦60 discount falls far short of what households, businesses, transport operators, students and workers need to cope with the prevailing economic challenges.

The party argued that Nigerians require sustainable measures to reduce the cost of living rather than temporary interventions that have limited reach and impact.

“At a time when Nigerians are struggling to survive the crushing cost of living, with petrol prices reportedly hovering around ₦1,400 per litre, the government’s decision to offer a mere ₦60 discount is not the relief citizens deserve,” the statement said.

The opposition party maintained that the discount was insignificant compared with the financial pressure experienced by ordinary Nigerians, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on transportation and fuel-powered businesses.

It accused the Tinubu administration of expecting public approval for what it described as a token concession after implementing policies that have significantly affected household budgets and business operating costs.

ADC questions petrol prices despite Nigeria’s crude oil resources

The ADC also questioned why petrol prices remained so high in Nigeria, an oil-producing country, despite the availability of abundant crude oil resources.

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It asked why citizens should continue to struggle with the cost of fuel and other essential commodities while bearing the consequences of government economic policies.

The party further argued that the discount underscored the need for government intervention to cushion the effects of high fuel prices on the wider economy.

According to the ADC, the measure demonstrated that the consequences of petrol pricing remained a major concern requiring a broader policy response.

However, the party said a temporary discount at selected Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations could not provide lasting relief from the rising costs of food, transportation, production and other necessities.

It called on the Federal Government to adopt a more comprehensive and transparent approach to addressing fuel costs and their impact on Nigerians.

The ADC also urged the government to explain how the country’s oil resources could be better managed to improve citizens’ living conditions and promote national prosperity.

Atiku deserves credit for subsidy restoration advocacy — ADC

The Ondo ADC chapter used the statement to commend Atiku Abubakar for advocating the restoration of fuel subsidy as part of a broader strategy to ease economic hardship and improve the welfare of Nigerians.

The party said Atiku’s position deserved consideration, insisting that the debate should focus on how economic policies could protect citizens’ purchasing power and ensure that the benefits of the country’s natural resources reached ordinary people.

According to the ADC, the reported fuel discount reinforces the argument that government intervention may be necessary to cushion the effects of high petrol prices, although it maintained that the current measure was inadequate.

The party called for a more sustainable framework capable of delivering meaningful relief rather than temporary concessions.

It said Atiku and the ADC were committed to an economic direction that would enable workers to earn a living wage, businesses to operate sustainably and families to afford food, transportation, education and healthcare.

Beyond fuel subsidy, the party said its proposed policy direction included economic recovery, improved purchasing power, affordable education, local government autonomy, the fight against insecurity and corruption, and responsible management of national resources.

The statement presented these priorities as part of the party’s broader vision for addressing the country’s economic and governance challenges.

ADC urges Nigerians to vote for change in 2027

With the 2027 general election approaching, the Ondo ADC urged Nigerians to assess the performance of the current administration and consider alternative leadership.

The party cautioned citizens against being swayed by temporary concessions that, in its view, failed to address the underlying causes of economic hardship.

It called on voters to support Atiku Abubakar and other ADC candidates, arguing that a change in leadership and policy direction could provide an opportunity to improve living standards and restore public confidence in government.

The party said Nigeria needed leadership capable of addressing economic difficulties, insecurity and declining purchasing power while promoting national unity and development.

It also expressed confidence that the country could harness its human and natural resources to create prosperity and improve the welfare of present and future generations.

“A ₦60 discount cannot erase years of blanket display of mercilessness and economic hardship, but a change in leadership and policy direction can begin the process of national recovery,” the statement said.

The ADC consequently called on Nigerians to demand economic reforms that would produce measurable improvements in their daily lives and support the party in the 2027 elections.

Fuel pricing remains a major political issue

The statement highlights the continuing political debate over petrol pricing, the removal of fuel subsidy and the government’s responsibility to cushion the effects of economic reforms.

While the Tinubu administration has defended its economic policy direction as part of efforts to reform the economy, opposition parties have continued to raise concerns about the effects of higher fuel costs on transportation, food prices, businesses and household incomes.

The Ondo ADC’s latest position places fuel subsidy and the affordability of petrol at the centre of its campaign message ahead of the next general election.

However, the party’s claims about the adequacy of the discount and the benefits of subsidy restoration reflect its political position. The actual impact of any fuel discount depends on its implementation, duration, eligibility conditions and the extent to which the savings are passed on to consumers.

The statement was signed by Hon. Remi Ofakunrin, Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress in Ondo State.

The party concluded by insisting that Nigerians deserved meaningful economic relief and urging voters to support what it described as an alternative path to national recovery.

₦60 Fuel Discount: Ondo ADC Slams Tinubu, Says Atiku Deserves Credit for Subsidy Restoration