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By Our Correspondent

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a scathing attack on the Federal Government’s newly announced 30-day petrol discount, describing the policy as a desperate act of “tokenism and deceit” designed to hoodwink suffering Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a fiery press statement released on Thursday,  signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osa Director, the NDC accused President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to reintroduce fuel subsidies through the backdoor, calling the move mischievous and indicative of a government in “free fall.”

The controversy follows the announcement by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who revealed that the government would offer a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days, prioritizing public transporters. Oyedele defended the move, stating, “It’s not a subsidy. The government is just saying we sell to you at cost.”

However, the NDC has rejected this explanation, pointing to the devastating aftermath of the initial subsidy removal. The party questioned the fate of millions of Nigerians who lost their jobs and businesses due to what it described as a “callous and poorly planned” policy.

“President Bola Tinubu and the APC government are desperate, and Nigerians must not be deceived. Emilokanomics has failed woefully,” the statement read.

The opposition party further challenged the practicality of the discount scheme, questioning the capacity of designated NNPC retail outlets to serve over 200 million Nigerians. The NDC warned that the policy could lead to a chaotic recurrence of stampedes at filling stations, potentially resulting in further loss of life.

“The attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy through the backdoor is not only mischievous but a sign of a government in free fall, ready to clutch at anything to survive,” the NDC stated, adding that the economy is at a tipping point.

Presenting a contrast to the current administration, the NDC declared that hope is on the horizon. The party urged Nigerians to rally behind its presidential candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, stating that he is the only leader capable of putting the country back on the right track.

The statement concluded with a clarion call to the electorate, urging them to come out en masse on January 16, 2027, to vote out the “most clueless and rudderless government in the history of Nigeria.”