Opposition party faults temporary petrol price reduction, calls for sustainable measures to ease cost of living
By Muhammad Inuwa
DUTSE — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the Federal Government of worsening the hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.
The party’s Jigawa State governorship candidate, Sabo Muhammad Nakudu, made the allegation in a post on his official Facebook page on Sunday, arguing that the policies introduced since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, had made life increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens.
Nakudu called for urgent and sustained measures to improve living conditions, insisting that Nigerians deserved greater relief from the rising cost of essential goods and services.
He attributed the prevailing economic difficulties to the policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that the government needed to do more to address the financial pressures confronting households across the country.
ADC QUESTIONS FUEL PRICE REDUCTION
The opposition party also faulted the temporary reduction in petrol prices announced by the Tinubu administration, describing the measure as inadequate to provide lasting relief to Nigerians.
Nakudu argued that a short-term price adjustment would not resolve the broader economic challenges facing households, particularly the rising costs of transportation, food and other basic necessities.
He linked the price reduction to a proposal by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, to reintroduce fuel subsidy under a proposed policy framework.
According to Nakudu, the temporary reduction should not be mistaken for a permanent solution to the financial difficulties experienced by Nigerians since the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023.
He maintained that the government needed to adopt more sustainable policies capable of reducing the cost of living and improving household welfare.
SUBSIDY REMOVAL REMAINS CONTENTIOUS
The removal of the petrol subsidy has remained a major point of disagreement between the Federal Government and opposition parties.
While the Tinubu administration has defended its economic reforms as necessary to address longstanding fiscal and foreign-exchange challenges, the ADC has argued that the resulting costs have placed a significant burden on ordinary Nigerians.
The opposition party has advocated a different approach to fuel pricing, including Atiku’s proposal for government support for petroleum products refined locally and sold in Nigeria.
The debate has increasingly featured in political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election, with competing arguments over how best to balance economic reforms, government spending and the need to protect vulnerable households.
CALL FOR LASTING RELIEF
Nakudu urged Nigerians to look beyond temporary reductions in petrol prices and demand policies that would deliver sustained improvements in their living conditions.
He said the ADC was committed to addressing the economic hardship and insecurity that, according to the party, had characterised the APC-led administration.
The party’s criticism adds to growing political debate over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic policies and the measures required to make essential goods and services more affordable.
The Federal Government’s position remains that its reforms are intended to strengthen the economy over the long term, while the opposition continues to question whether the benefits are reaching ordinary Nigerians quickly enough.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, economic welfare, fuel prices and the cost of living are expected to remain central issues in the contest between the ruling APC and opposition parties.
