Fuel discount: Tinubu’s government confused—says Adebayo

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s 30-day petrol discount, questioning its legal basis, funding arrangements and long-term impact on Nigerians.

Adebayo described the initiative as “Tinubu’s House of Commotion”, comparing the government’s announcement to the popular 1990s television comedy series, Fuji House of Commotion.

He made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The government said the intervention was intended to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs, with priority given to public transport operators.

But Adebayo questioned the policy’s structure, arguing that the government had not provided sufficient clarity on how the arrangement would work.

“I watched the announcement video, but there is no actual plan behind it, so I cannot even tell whether it is a formal policy or just a political gesture,” he said.

He added, “It immediately reminded me of the 1990s television series, Fuji House of Commotion. What they presented is essentially Tinubu’s House of Commotion. It makes no sense whatsoever.”

The SDP chieftain also questioned the involvement of officials at the announcement, arguing that the NNPC had its own management structure.

“None of those people seated there represent the NNPC,” Adebayo said, while questioning the arrangements for implementing the discount.

He further challenged the government to explain the funding mechanism, claiming that there was no designated account in the Ministry of Finance for petrol discount payments.

Adebayo also dismissed the 30-day duration as inadequate for a policy intended to provide relief from high fuel prices.

“One month is not a short-term policy. It is a flash in the moment, lacking short-, medium- or long-term vision,” he said.

He also questioned the legal basis of the initiative, saying the officials who announced it had not cited any law authorising the arrangement.

“It looks to me like the government is genuinely now and sincerely confused because they have created problems for themselves,” he said.

However, the Federal Government has rejected the suggestion that the initiative amounts to a return to petrol subsidy.

Announcing the measure on Thursday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the government would offer a discount on petrol sold by NNPC Limited for an initial period of 30 days, with priority for public transporters.

Oyedele said the arrangement was designed to allow the company to sell petrol at cost rather than restore the former subsidy regime.

“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance, with priority for public transporters nationwide. So, it’s not a subsidy; the government is just saying we sell to you at cost,” the minister said.

The announcement has triggered questions from opposition figures and labour leaders over the policy’s implementation and whether the temporary intervention will provide meaningful relief to consumers.

The government is yet to demonstrate, through the announcement alone, how the discount will translate into sustained reductions in transport fares and the wider cost of living.