Criticism of Tinubu’s Petrol Relief Disappointing — Lagos APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described opposition criticism of the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount as disappointing and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Friday, Lagos APC spokesman Seye Oladejo accused opposition parties of prioritising “political point-scoring over the welfare of Nigerians struggling with rising transportation and living costs.”

The remarks came in response to the rejection of the temporary discount by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Obidient Movement, the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the presidential campaign organisation of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The critics described the measure as inadequate and politically driven.The Federal Government announced on Thursday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) would forgo its retail profit margin on petrol for 30 days, selling the product at a discounted price through its outlets, with priority for public transport operators.

The Presidency clarified that the arrangement, backed by President Bola Tinubu, does not amount to a return of the petrol subsidy removed on May 29, 2023.

Oladejo said a responsible opposition should welcome credible efforts to ease citizens’ burdens while offering constructive suggestions for improvement.

“At a time when Nigerians are grappling with the impact of rising petrol prices on transportation, food prices, household budgets and business operations, one would ordinarily expect a responsible opposition to welcome any credible intervention aimed at easing the burden on citizens, while offering constructive suggestions for improvement,” he said.

“Instead, we are confronted with the familiar spectacle of political opportunism masquerading as economic criticism.”

Addressing claims that the discount represents a return of fuel subsidy through the back door, the Lagos APC urged critics to examine the policy’s structure and financing rather than rely on political labels.

It said allegations without evidence of fiscal irresponsibility or legal irregularities do not constitute serious economic analysis.The party acknowledged that a 30-day discount alone cannot solve Nigeria’s cost-of-living challenges.

It called on the Federal Government to sustain efforts to stabilise prices, expand domestic refining, improve fuel distribution, reduce logistics costs, support public transportation and strengthen household purchasing power.

Oladejo urged transparency in implementing the discount, verification that benefits reach intended beneficiaries, and clear communication of measures to follow after the initiative ends.

He challenged the opposition to present workable alternatives if they consider the intervention inadequate.

“If the opposition believes the 30-day arrangement is inadequate, let it tell Nigerians precisely what it would do differently, how it would finance its proposal and how quickly its alternative would produce tangible benefits.

“Nigerians deserve more than slogans, cynical commentary and the perpetual conversion of economic hardship into campaign material,” he added.

The Lagos APC said concerns about sustainability after the 30-day period are legitimate but should not be used to dismiss the immediate relief the measure could provide.

It insisted that temporary interventions have a place in economic management and should be judged by their design, implementation, affordability and outcomes.