By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount programme, describing the measure as “tokenism and deceit” and accusing the President Bola Tinubu administration of attempting to reintroduce fuel subsidy through the backdoor.

The party made Its position known in a statement dated October 8, 2026, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., following the Federal Government’s announcement of the discount at NNPC Limited retail stations.

The NDC was reacting to a statement by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who said the government would offer discounted petrol at NNPC stations for 30 days in the first instance, with public transporters given priority.

“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,” Oyedele was quoted as saying.

But the NDC described the measure as a “Greek gift” from a government that, according to the party, removed fuel subsidy without adequate consideration, consultation or measures to cushion the impact on Nigerians.

“This is nothing but tokenism and a Greek gift from a government that whimsically removed fuel subsidy without proper consideration, consultation, or cushions for Nigerians,” the party said.

The oppositeion group questioned the impact of the 30-day measure on Nigerians who, it claimed, had lost jobs or seen their businesses collapse following the removal of subsidy.

“Nigerians cannot be deceived,” the NDC said, asking what would happen to millions of Nigerians who lost their jobs and businesses following the subsidy removal.

The party also raised concerns about the availability of discounted petrol at designated NNPC outlets, questioning whether the number of participating stations would be sufficient to serve the population.

“Even the bogus promise to dispense discounted fuel at designated NNPC retail outlets is not pragmatic. How many such outlets exist in Nigeria to serve over 200 million Nigerians?” the statement asked.

The NDC further warned that concentrating discounted petrol sales at designated stations could create congestion and potentially expose motorists and commuters to safety risks.

“Is this not the recipe for another stampede that could have many more Nigerians trampled to death at the filling stations?” the party asked.

The group described the proposed discount as an attempt to reintroduce petrol subsidy indirectly and said the policy reflected what it called a crisis within the economy.

“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 said.

The party also accused the APC-led administration of failing to address the wider economic difficulties facing Nigerians, describing the economy as being at “a tipping point.”

“The APC has shown itself glaringly incapable of rescuing the country from imminent collapse,” the statement said.

The NDC then promoted Peter Obi as its preferred candidate for the 2027 election and called on Nigerians to vote for him and other NDC candidates.

“His Excellency Peter Obi, under the NDC, will put Nigeria back on the right track. A New Nigeria is Possible with Obi,” the party said.

The group urged voters to participate in the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, saying they should use the polls to remove the APC-led government.