Atiku Criticises Tinubu’s 30-Day Petrol Discount, Calls for Lasting Economic Relief
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount initiative, arguing that the measure would provide only temporary relief without addressing the broader cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku made the remarks on Friday, October 9, 2026, while inaugurating the ADC Presidential Campaign Council at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where he outlined his economic proposals and called on Nigerians to support his party ahead of the 2027 general election.
He questioned what would happen after the discount period expires, arguing that households, transport operators, farmers and businesses require sustainable measures to manage rising fuel, transportation and operating costs.
The ADC candidate said his proposed alternative was a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold locally. He proposed that such an intervention should have a defined spending limit, be included in the national budget and undergo independent auditing.
According to Atiku, supporting domestic refining could help reduce fuel costs while encouraging local production. He also called for measures to make food more affordable, improve electricity supply, create employment opportunities and strengthen security around roads and farming communities.
The Federal Government announced the 30-day petrol discount on October 8, with priority for public transport operators. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele described the arrangement as a cost-based intervention rather than a restoration of the former fuel subsidy regime. The Presidency said NNPC Retail would forgo its petrol retail profit margin under the initiative.
Atiku, however, argued that the measure did not provide sufficient clarity on how Nigerians would be protected from high fuel costs after the initial period. He also questioned whether the discount would translate into lower transport fares and reduced prices for goods and services.
Atiku Charges Campaign Council to Mobilise Nigerians
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku urged them to take the party’s message to markets, motor parks, farms, campuses and communities across the country.
He called on the council to explain the ADC’s policy proposals clearly, demonstrate how they would be funded and engage directly with Nigerians on their economic concerns.
The former vice president described the 2027 election as an opportunity for voters to determine the country’s economic direction and called for a campaign focused on affordability, economic recovery and improved living standards.
Calls for Electoral Transparency
Atiku also stressed the importance of transparent elections, urging reforms to improve public access to polling-unit results, protect the rights of party agents and observers to verify results, and strengthen independent audits of election technology.
He called for the live broadcast of state and national collation proceedings, as well as stronger measures against vote suppression, result tampering and electoral fraud.
The ADC candidate further urged authorities to protect the constitutional rights of opposition parties to campaign across the country, saying political candidates should be able to engage voters in every state without obstruction.
He concluded by charging campaign council members to work towards building public confidence in the party’s proposals and mobilising support for the ADC ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku Criticises Tinubu’s 30-Day Petrol Discount, Calls for Lasting Economic Relief