Atiku Abubakar, the presidential hopeful of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleges that President Bola Tinubu is leveraging a N66‑per‑litre petrol discount to win popular support. He asks who gave the green light for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to foot the bill and whether the move truly eases the financial strain on Nigerians.
**What is the N66‑per‑litre discount?**
The administration announced a reduction of N66 per litre on fuel sold at participating NNPC retail stations. Atiku argues the scheme raises doubts about the government’s intent, suggesting it may be a publicity stunt rather than a genuine relief measure.
**Who authorised the discount?**
In a statement released by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned whether the NNPC board had approved the arrangement before the Presidency made it public. “Tinubu wants Nigerians to cheer for N66 off a litre before they ask who ordered NNPC to surrender the money,” he said, demanding details on the approval process, the total cost and the accounting treatment.
**Why is the use of NNPC controversial?**
Atiku points out that NNPC Limited operates as a commercial entity under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and should not be employed for presidential publicity without transparent accountability. He asks the government to clarify if the discount complied with corporate procedures, what financial analysis informed the decision, and how the forgone revenue will appear in the company’s books.
**What are the practical implications for motorists?**
“The discount’s reach is also questionable, given that NNPC Retail runs just over 900 filling stations for a nation of about 242 million people,” Atiku noted. He warned that drivers might incur extra travel costs, endure long queues and rely on a mobile app to claim the rebate, thereby diminishing any real savings.
**Is the discount a subsidy?**
Atiku rejects the claim that the scheme is not a subsidy, insisting that re‑labeling it does not erase its financial impact. He recalled that Tinubu previously dismissed his proposal for a transparent production subsidy, yet now appears to have adopted a limited‑time, location‑specific discount that benefits only a fraction of the population.
**What does this mean for market principles?**
The former vice‑president accused the Tinubu administration of applying market forces selectively: “The government invokes market forces when Nigerians demand lower petrol prices, yet turns to discounts when the President wants public applause.”