Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day fuel discount at NNPC retail stations, describing the initiative as a politically motivated measure that fails to address the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.
In a statement issued on October 8 by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the planned discount was a temporary intervention designed to influence public opinion ahead of elections rather than provide sustainable relief for Nigerians.
According to the former vice president, the government had allowed citizens to endure prolonged economic hardship without meaningful support and was now introducing a short-term fuel price reduction as elections approach.
Atiku argued that the measure amounted to an “election-laced subsidy package” and maintained that a one-month discount would not solve the broader challenges associated with rising fuel prices, transportation costs and food inflation.
He questioned what would happen after the 30-day period, noting that Nigerians would likely face the same fuel prices and economic pressures once the programme ends.
The former vice president further stated that the proposed discount was not a comprehensive economic policy but a temporary response to public dissatisfaction over rising living costs.
He also raised concerns about the limited scope of the intervention, noting that it applies only to NNPC stations. According to him, the government has yet to disclose the exact per-litre savings motorists would receive or explain how any reductions in fuel costs would translate into lower transport fares for commuters.
Atiku said the government’s decision to introduce the discount was an acknowledgement of the hardship experienced by Nigerians and contradicted previous claims that significant fuel-related relief measures were not feasible.
He reiterated his proposal for a capped and budgeted production-support framework tied to fuel refined within Nigeria, arguing that such a policy would provide more sustainable benefits to consumers while supporting local refining capacity.
Calling for long-term solutions, Atiku said Nigerians require lasting economic relief rather than temporary measures, adding that his administration would prioritise policies aimed at making life more affordable.
The statement was signed by Phrank Shaibu on behalf of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
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