Former Vice-President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day fuel discount for Nigerians, describing the measure as a temporary response to the prolonged cost-of-living crisis in the Federal Capital Territory.
Atiku argued that the plan would offer only short-term relief because the discount is expected to last for one month, leaving motorists and businesses to face the existing fuel price burden once the period ends.
The former Vice-President made his position known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
Atiku accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of turning to a temporary fuel intervention after Nigerians had endured years of rising fuel costs and worsening economic pressure.
He described the proposed measure as an attempt to provide relief at a time when political considerations were becoming increasingly important, saying Nigerians should not be expected to forget years of hardship because of a one-month discount.
“Atiku totally rejects this calendar-scheduled, election-laced subsidy package. Nigerians are not fools to be offered a month of discounted fuel after years of punishing prices and then expected to forget the hardship when the discount expires,” he said.
He also questioned the scope of the arrangement, noting that the discount would be available at NNPC stations while details on the actual savings per litre remained unclear.
According to him, the government has also not established how any reduction enjoyed by transport operators would translate into cheaper fares for passengers.
Atiku further argued that the proposed intervention amounted to a short-term response to an economic problem requiring a lasting solution.
“What happens on Day 31? Nigerians wake up to the same brutal prices, the same punishing transport fares and the same rising cost of food,” he said.
He maintained that the administration’s decision to consider temporary support showed that measures aimed at reducing fuel-related hardship were possible, contrary to previous claims that substantial relief could not be provided.
The former Vice-President renewed his call for capped and budgeted production support linked to fuel refined locally, with safeguards designed to ensure consumers benefit directly.
“Nigerians need lasting relief, not a countdown to the return of hardship,” Atiku said, insisting that his approach would provide a more sustainable response to the pressure facing households and businesses.
He also restated his ambition to reduce the cost of living, declaring: “Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again.”