“Three Years Of Suffering Cannot Be Erased By 30 Days Of Petrol Discount” — Obidient Movement Blasts FG

The Obidient Movement has rejected the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, describing it as politically motivated and inadequate to address the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal.

The movement’s reaction followed the announcement on Thursday by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) would forgo its retail profit margin and sell petrol at cost price for 30 days, with priority for public transport operators.

In a statement by its Director of Media and Communications, Onyeka Dike, the Obidient Movement questioned the timing of the intervention, linking it to the approaching 2027 general elections.

“For three years, Tinubu told Nigerians that the ‘baby steps of pain’ were necessary. Now, suddenly, a petrol discount is possible. So, what changed?” Dike asked.

“Did subsidy suddenly become good because Peter Obi said he would restore it? Why the desperation as elections approach?” he queried.

Dike argued that since subsidy removal on May 29, 2023, Nigerians have endured high petrol prices, increased taxes, rising tuition fees and escalating food costs.

“The pains were never necessary. They were policy choices,” he said.

The group urged Nigerians not to be swayed by temporary relief, insisting the country needs sustainable access to affordable fuel, food and education.

“Three years of suffering cannot be erased by 30 days of petrol discount,” Dike added.

The Obidient Movement joined other opposition voices including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and the presidential campaign organisation of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who all rejected the FG’s intervention.

Atiku, in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, described it as a “panic-driven publicity stunt” and asked “What happens on Day 31?”

But the Presidency, in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, insisted the arrangement is not a return to subsidy.

According to the Presidency, if NNPC’s landing cost is N1,300, it will sell at same price. The Federal Government is also negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on ex-gantry cost and will forward crude sales to domestic refineries.

“This is neither a subsidy nor a price control: it is designed to smooth prices over time rather than suppressing them,” Oyedele said, adding that the ceiling will be reviewed monthly.

The Presidency listed other measures including faster CNG rollout — which is 60-70% cheaper than petrol — cash transfers, excess profit tax for price gougers, National Strategic Fuel Reserve, cutting of road levies and improved traffic management.

“Removing the fuel subsidy came at a price. But the alternative has been tried. Nigeria has already lived through that cycle: scarcity, smuggling, a collapsing currency and a fiscal crisis. We cannot afford to live through it again,” the Presidency said.