NDC Rejects FG’s 30-Day Petrol Price Discount, Calls It Deceit

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the federal government’s 30-day petrol price discount, describing the measure as deceit.

The opposition party was reacting to the federal government’s announcement on Thursday of plans to introduce a price-modulation mechanism for petrol, with a proposed ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of the product.

“We are introducing price modulation. The government is negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol to keep the price stable,” the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said at a press briefing.

But the NDC described the planned discount as “tokenism and a Greek gift” from a government that, according to the party, removed fuel subsidy without adequate consideration, consultation or measures to cushion the impact on Nigerians.

In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Osa Director, the party said Nigerians who lost their jobs or whose businesses collapsed following the removal of subsidy had yet to recover from its effects.

“What happens to the millions of Nigerians who lost their jobs and whose businesses collapsed as a result of the callous and poorly planned removal of subsidy? What about those who lost their lives in poorly equipped government hospitals that have now become mortuaries?” the party asked.

The NDC also described the proposed price-modulation mechanism as an attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy through the backdoor, alleging that the government was struggling to manage the economy.

The party further questioned the practicality of distributing discounted petrol through designated NNPCL retail outlets, given the size of Nigeria’s population.

“Even the bogus promise to dispense discounted fuel at designated NNPC retail outlets is not pragmatic. How many such outlets exist in Nigeria to serve over 200 million Nigerians? Is this not the recipe for another stampede that could have many more Nigerians trampled to death at the filling stations?” the party asked.

The NDC said several questions remained unanswered over the government’s plan, adding that it believed the economy was facing serious challenges.

The opposition party also declared that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would provide an alternative, urging Nigerians to vote for Obi and other NDC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

“In a few months, specifically on 15th January, 2027, Nigerians should come out en masse and vote for Peter Obi and all other NDC candidates to vote out the most clueless and rudderless government in the history of Nigeria,” the party said.