The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, describing the measure as “tokenism” and a “Greek gift” while accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to adequately cushion Nigerians from the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The party stated this in a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., on Thursday, October 8, 2026, following the Federal Government’s announcement of the temporary petrol discount through Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) stations.
The Federal Government had announced that the discount would apply to petrol dispensed by NNPCL for an initial 30 days, with priority given to public transporters nationwide.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, had explained the measure, saying: “We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance, with priority for public transporters nationwide. So, it’s not a subsidy. The government is just saying we sell to you at cost.”
Reacting, the NDC rejected the explanation and described the petrol discount as an attempt to provide temporary relief after what it called the poorly planned removal of petrol subsidy.
“This is nothing but tokenism and a Greek gift from a government that whimsically removed fuel subsidy without proper consideration, consultation, or cushions for Nigerians,” the party said.
The opposition party questioned the long-term impact of the measure on Nigerians who, according to it, had suffered job losses and business closures following the removal of the subsidy.
“Nigerians cannot be deceived,” the NDC said.
It asked: “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 further criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, accusing the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of being desperate and failing to address the hardship faced by Nigerians.
“It is clear that President Bola Tinubu and the APC government are desperate, and Nigerians must not be deceived. Emilokanomics has failed woefully,” the NDC said.
The party also questioned the rationale behind dispensing the discounted petrol through designated NNPCL retail outlets, asking whether the available outlets could adequately serve the country’s population.
“The attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy through the backdoor is not only mischievous but a sign of a government in free fall, ready to clutch at anything to survive,” it said.
“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?”
The NDC also warned that concentrating discounted petrol at selected filling stations could result in overcrowding and potentially trigger stampedes.
“Is this not the recipe for another stampede that could have many more Nigerians trampled to death at the filling stations?” the party asked.
According to the NDC, the Federal Government’s latest intervention had failed to resolve broader economic concerns.
“Several questions beg for answers, but the only answer staring Nigerians in the face is that the economy is in a tailspin and at a tipping point. The APC has shown itself glaringly incapable of rescuing the country from imminent collapse,” the party said.
The NDC then promoted its proposed political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing support for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
“But hope is on the way,” the party said.
“His Excellency Peter Obi, under the NDC, will put Nigeria back on the right track. A New Nigeria is POssible with Obi.”
The party urged Nigerians to vote for Obi and other NDC candidates in the 2027 elections.
“In a few months, specifically on 16th 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 statement said.
