The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the planned 30-day fuel discount at NNPC stations.
In a statement issued Thursday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the proposal was nothing but a desperate, short-term gesture that could not undo the pain caused by high fuel costs.
The former vice president said it was reckless, disgraceful and scandalous for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to now dangle a fuel discount as bait before Nigerians.
He said the same government folded its arms while Nigerians battled excruciating hardship, without offering any meaningful relief.
Atiku said the move was not an economic plan, but a political bandage to cover a wound the government itself inflicted.
He also queried the plan, noting that it was limited to NNPC stations, with no clarity on how much motorists would save per litre or how the government would make transporters reduce fares for passengers.
According to him, the sudden reversal on such a sensitive matter of public welfare was an admission that Nigerians had suffered under the administration.
“I totally reject 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. This is shameless and heartless,” he said.
