The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused opposition parties of politicising Nigerians’ economic hardship after the Federal Government announced a 30-day petrol discount through Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) retail outlets.
The party said the opposition’s criticism of the initiative showed a preference for political point-scoring over constructive engagement with measures intended to ease the burden of rising petrol prices on Nigerians.
The Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said this in a statement on Friday, in response to criticism from opposition groups, including the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC).
The opposition groups had criticised the 30-day arrangement, describing it variously as tokenism, deceit and an attempt to influence voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oladejo said the Federal Government’s initiative deserved scrutiny but argued that its potential benefits should not be dismissed solely on partisan grounds.
He explained that the arrangement was not a return to the former blanket fuel subsidy regime but a temporary, targeted discount under which petrol sold through NNPC retail outlets would be offered at cost, with priority given to public transport operators.
According to him, the government has also outlined complementary measures intended to moderate fuel-price pressures and support vulnerable Nigerians.
The APC spokesman acknowledged concerns about the sustainability of the intervention, particularly what would happen after the 30-day period, but said such questions should prompt demands for clear implementation plans rather than outright condemnation.
He called on the Federal Government to explain its exit strategy, establish clear criteria for reviewing the intervention and communicate the complementary measures it intends to pursue before the discount expires.
“Temporary interventions have a legitimate place in economic management, particularly when households and businesses are under immediate pressure,” Oladejo said.
He added that the initiative should be assessed based on its design, implementation, affordability and measurable outcomes.
On allegations that the discount amounted to a return of fuel subsidy through the back door, Oladejo urged opposition parties to examine the policy’s financing arrangements, cost accounting and safeguards against abuse.
He challenged the opposition to present evidence of fiscal irresponsibility or legal irregularities rather than rely on political labels.
The APC spokesman, however, acknowledged that the 30-day discount alone could not resolve Nigeria’s cost-of-living challenges.
He said the country also needed sustained efforts to stabilise prices, improve domestic refining and fuel distribution, reduce logistics costs, support public transportation, expand access to affordable credit and strengthen household purchasing power.
Oladejo said President Bola Tinubu’s administration should pursue these objectives with urgency and measurable results, adding that the APC would continue to hold the government accountable while supporting policies it considers soundly designed and effectively implemented.
He challenged opposition parties that considered the discount inadequate to explain what they would do differently, how their proposals would be funded and how quickly they would deliver tangible benefits.
The Lagos APC spokesman urged political actors to avoid exploiting citizens’ economic difficulties for partisan advantage as the country approaches another election cycle.
“Nigerians deserve more than slogans, cynical commentary and the perpetual conversion of economic hardship into campaign material.
“As the country approaches another election cycle, we urge political actors to resist the temptation to exploit genuine public concerns for partisan advantage. The hardship experienced by ordinary citizens is real, and it deserves seriousness, empathy and practical solutions-not political theatre,” Oladejo said.
The party consequently welcomed the Federal Government’s initiative while calling for transparent implementation, verifiable benefits and clear communication of measures that would follow the 30-day period.
