Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of turning a 30-day petrol discount into a political spectacle, questioning the transparency and implementation of the initiative through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the government had yet to explain the financial arrangements behind the discount, including who would bear the cost and whether the company’s board had approved the decision.

In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that NNPCL operated as a commercial company under the Petroleum Industry Act and should not be treated as a source of funds for political publicity.

He questioned whether the Presidency had followed the appropriate corporate procedures before announcing the price reduction, asking what financial assessments had been conducted and how the cost would be reflected in the company’s accounts.

Atiku also challenged the nationwide reach of the intervention, noting that NNPC Retail operated just over 900 filling stations in a country with an estimated population of 242 million.

He argued that motorists living far from NNPC outlets might have to spend additional money travelling to access the discount, while queues and possible fuel shortages could further reduce the benefits.

The former vice-president also questioned the requirement for motorists to use an application to access the offer, asking whether the savings would justify the additional time and expenses involved.

He maintained that a measure presented as relief for Nigerians should be accessible to consumers across the country rather than being limited to a relatively small network of filling stations.

Atiku further criticised the administration’s position on petrol pricing, arguing that officials had previously emphasised market forces when Nigerians called for lower prices but had now introduced a temporary discount.

He said describing the measure as something other than a subsidy did not remove the need to account for its cost and funding arrangements.

The ADC presidential candidate also recalled his proposal for transparent production support tied to petrol refined locally, with safeguards to ensure that consumers benefited while domestic refining was supported.

He argued that the government’s latest intervention reflected the need for measures capable of providing meaningful relief from high fuel prices.

The Federal Government announced the 30-day discount as part of measures to cushion the effects of rising petroleum prices and wider energy-market pressures. The initiative gives priority to public transport operators at NNPC filling stations.

Atiku called for greater transparency regarding the decision, the financial burden on NNPCL and the extent to which the discount would benefit ordinary Nigerians.