The Allied Peoples Movement, APM has kicked against the Sixty naira per litre fuel discount announced by President Bola Tinubu led government, describing the move as a political stunt aimed at hoodwinking Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Federal Government had announced a 30-day discount on petrol dispensed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited with priority for public transporters nationwide.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele who announced the plan on thursday had said the arrangement is not a subsidy but an attempt by the government to sell petrol at reduced cost.
But the APM in a statement signed by its Director of strategic communications, Richard Ihediwa says reducing the pump price of petrol from about 1,400 naira by 60 naira was an insult to Nigerians struggling with the impact of the fuel price regime.
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It questioned the rationale for increasing petrol prices by as much as 733 percent, then resort to what it describes as an “arithmetic ratio in decrease” with a “teeny 60 naira” reduction while Nigerians are expecting a substantial cut in the cost of fuel.
It adds that the discount which is limited to selected NNPC retail outlets for 30 days, demonstrates the government is bereft of solutions and merely seeking to score political points as the 2027 elections approach.
The Party also criticised the government’s offer to sell crude oil to domestic refineries at 80 dollars per barrel, describing the arrangement as offensive for an oil-producing country.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
