Atiku Knocks Tinubu Over 30-Day Fuel Discount, Says Nigerians Are Not Fools

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day fuel discount at NNPC stations as an “election package” and a desperate temporary gesture that cannot repair the damage caused by high fuel costs.

In a statement on Thursday, October 8, 2026, issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the Tinubu administration’s move was reckless, disgraceful and scandalous.

He said the same government watched Nigerians endure excruciating hardship without meaningful relief, and is now dangling a discount as elections approach.

“Now, as the election draws closer, President Tinubu is dangling a temporary discount at the very epicentre of the cost-of-living crisis that has tormented households and businesses,” Atiku said.

“Atiku totally rejects this calendar-scheduled, election-laced subsidy package. Nigerians are not fools to be offered a month of discounted fuel after years of punishing prices and then expected to forget the hardship when the discount expires. This is shameless and heartless,” he said.

Atiku said the 30-day discount is not an economic plan but a political bandage on a wound the government created.

“What happens on Day 31? Nigerians wake up to the same brutal prices, the same punishing transport fares and the same rising cost of food. The government cannot manufacture relief for one month and expect Nigerians to applaud while the hardship remains,” he stated.

He faulted the plan for being limited to NNPC stations, without stating how much motorists will save per litre or guaranteeing that savings for transporters will translate to lower fares for passengers.

According to Atiku, the sudden reversal on subsidy proves that relief is possible and vindicates his own proposal.

“This volte-face proves that the production-support proposal I have advanced is workable, achievable and not complicated. The Tinubu government and its spin doctors have tried to make it sound impossible, yet they are now reaching for a temporary subsidy-style intervention because the pain has become impossible to ignore,” Atiku said.

He reiterated his proposal for capped and budgeted production support tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, with safeguards to ensure benefits reach consumers and support local refining.

“Nigerians need lasting relief, not a countdown to the return of hardship. Tinubu’s government cannot spend years telling Nigerians to endure, then offer 30 days of relief and call it a solution,” he said.

“Tinubu made life expensive. I will make life affordable again,” Atiku added.