Tinubu’s Petrol Discount: Lagos APC Calls For Transparency, Measurable Results

Kehinde Adeleye

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged opposition parties criticising the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount initiative to present practical alternatives, insisting that Nigerians’ welfare should take precedence over political interests.

The party asked opposition leaders to explain how their proposed solutions would differ from the government’s intervention, how they would be funded and how quickly Nigerians could begin to feel the benefits.

The Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, made the call in a statement on Friday amid divided reactions to the temporary measure introduced by the Federal Government to cushion the impact of rising global crude oil prices.

Under the initiative, retail outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) are to suspend profit margins and sell petrol at cost price for 30 days, with public transport operators given priority.

Oladejo argued that with Nigerians grappling with rising transportation, food and household expenses, opposition parties should acknowledge efforts aimed at providing relief while offering workable alternatives.

“The welfare of Nigerians must come before the political convenience of the opposition,” he said.

He described what he considered the automatic rejection of the initiative as “political opportunism masquerading as economic criticism”, arguing that criticism of government policies should be accompanied by practical proposals to address the country’s economic difficulties.

The APC spokesman said the Federal Government had clarified that the intervention was not a return to a general fuel subsidy but a temporary, targeted reduction involving profit margins, alongside other measures intended to ease price pressures.

However, he acknowledged that questions about the policy’s effectiveness were legitimate, insisting that its implementation must be transparent, properly monitored and assessed through measurable outcomes.

“Whether the arrangement will deliver its intended benefits is a legitimate question. Its implementation, transparency, reach and measurable impact should be scrutinised. But scrutiny is not the same as reflexive condemnation, and accountability does not require political cynicism,” he said.

Addressing concerns about what would happen after the 30-day period, Oladejo said the question of sustainability was valid but should not be used to dismiss the immediate relief the initiative might provide.

He urged the Federal Government to publish clear details of the arrangement, ensure that intended beneficiaries received the benefits and explain what measures would replace the intervention before it expires.

“Nigerians deserve nothing less,” the statement added.

On allegations that the policy represented a disguised return to fuel subsidy, the Lagos APC urged opposition parties to assess the initiative based on its actual provisions, funding arrangements and safeguards against abuse rather than dismissing it through political labels.

“If the opposition has credible evidence of fiscal irresponsibility or legal irregularity, it should present that evidence,” Oladejo said.

The party acknowledged that a month-long petrol discount would not, by itself, resolve Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis. It called for sustained policies to stabilise prices, expand domestic refining capacity, improve fuel distribution, reduce logistics costs, support public transportation and strengthen citizens’ purchasing power.

“The opposition cannot credibly demand immediate relief on one day and condemn an attempt to provide it the next, without presenting a more workable alternative,” he said.

Oladejo challenged parties opposed to the initiative to state what they would do differently, how they would finance their proposals and how soon their plans would deliver tangible benefits.

The Lagos APC described the intervention as a step towards immediate relief but maintained that its implementation must be transparent, its benefits verifiable and subsequent government measures clearly communicated.

“Our position is straightforward: support what helps Nigerians, scrutinise what requires scrutiny and improve what needs improvement,” the statement said.

“The difference between constructive opposition and opportunistic opposition is simple: one offers better answers; the other merely objects to the answers on the table. Nigeria deserves the former.”