2027: ATIKU TELLS TINUBU 30 DAYS OF FUEL DISCOUNT CANNOT WIPE OUT YEARS OF HARDSHIP

By NaijaParrot October 9, 2026 

 ABUJA, NIGERIA 

— Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, arguing that a temporary intervention cannot undo the hardship Nigerians have experienced over the past three years. Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, described the initiative as an inadequate response to rising living costs, high transport fares and expensive food prices. His reaction followed the Federal Government’s announcement that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) would offer discounted petrol for an initial period of 30 days, prioritising public transport operators.

ATIKU QUESTIONS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 30 DAYS 

 In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku argued that Nigerians should not be expected to forget years of economic pressure because of a one-month discount. He questioned whether the government had a sustainable plan to address the underlying causes of high fuel prices and the wider cost-of-living crisis. Atiku also raised concerns about what would happen when the discount expires, warning that motorists and commuters could return to facing high fuel costs, transport fares and food prices. He maintained that Nigerians needed lasting economic relief rather than a temporary measure with a fixed end date. 

 FG SAYS THE MEASURE IS NOT A RETURN TO FUEL SUBSIDY 

 The Federal Government has defended the initiative as a temporary arrangement intended to reduce the immediate burden of high petrol prices. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said NNPCL would temporarily forgo its retail profit margin and sell petrol at cost during the 30-day period. The government has insisted that the arrangement does not amount to a restoration of the former petrol subsidy regime, which ended in May 2023. The initiative is part of a broader package of measures announced to cushion Nigerians against rising energy and transportation costs. 

 ATIKU QUESTIONS THE REACH OF THE DISCOUNT 

 The former vice-president also questioned the decision to limit the discount to NNPCL filling stations. According to reports of his statement, he said the government had not clearly explained how much consumers would save per litre or how it would ensure that any savings enjoyed by transport operators translated into lower fares for passengers. He argued that a temporary reduction in fuel costs would have limited impact if transportation and food prices remained high. Atiku renewed his proposal for a capped and budgeted production-support arrangement linked to petrol refined in Nigeria. He said such a policy should include safeguards to ensure that consumers benefit while domestic refining receives support. 

 DEBATE OVER ECONOMIC RELIEF DEEPENS 

 The disagreement reflects a wider debate over how the government should respond to the economic consequences of fuel subsidy removal and persistent living costs. While the Federal Government says the temporary discount is designed to provide immediate relief, Atiku and other critics argue that Nigerians need measures capable of delivering benefits beyond a single month. The effectiveness of the initiative will depend partly on the actual savings available to consumers, the number of participating filling stations and whether any reduction in fuel costs leads to lower transportation expenses. For households and businesses, the central question remains whether the intervention will provide meaningful relief and what measures will follow after the 30-day period. 

 NaijaParrot will continue to monitor the government’s economics measures and reactions from political parties and stakeholders. 

 NaijaParrot — 

Hear It First! Hear It True!