Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of hypocrisy over its decision to introduce a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) filling stations.
Oseni argued that the temporary price reduction amounted to a return of fuel subsidy, despite the Federal Government’s insistence that the initiative was not a subsidy.
The broadcaster made the remarks on Friday during a television programme, questioning why the government had introduced the relief measure after repeatedly defending the removal of petrol subsidy.
He also expressed concern about the decision to limit the discount to 30 days, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum.
According to Oseni, the government’s decision demonstrates that it has the capacity to intervene in the petrol market to ease the financial burden on Nigerians.
He argued that despite rising global crude oil prices and increasing pressure on households and businesses, the administration had not provided sufficient relief until the recent announcement.
The broadcaster also commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for bringing the debate over fuel subsidy and relief measures back into the national conversation.
Oseni recalled that Atiku had argued in a September 18 speech that Tinubu could introduce relief under a different name and take credit for it, provided it reduced the suffering of Nigerians.
He said the former vice president deserved recognition for pushing the issue into public debate.
“Subsidy is back. Welcome back, subsidy. The fact that the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, says it’s not a subsidy does not mean it’s not a subsidy,” Oseni said.
He added that the government had spent months insisting that fuel subsidy should not return, only to introduce a temporary discount.
Oseni questioned whether the intervention would be withdrawn after the 30-day period, leaving Nigerians to face the same high petrol prices.
He also raised concerns about the timing of the measure, suggesting that its limited duration could fuel suspicions about the government’s political intentions ahead of the next general election.
The broadcaster further challenged the argument that the initiative was merely a discount, asking who would bear the financial cost of the reduced selling price.
He maintained that a business’s profit margin was important for investment and sustainability, arguing that any decision to forgo such earnings deserved closer scrutiny.
However, the Federal Government has maintained that the initiative does not amount to a return of fuel subsidy.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, explained that NNPC Retail had agreed to forgo its petrol retail profit margin and sell the product at cost for an initial period of 30 days.
The Presidency said the measure was intended to cushion the effects of global oil price volatility on households, with public transport operators receiving priority.
The government also insisted that the intervention would not reverse the 2023 removal of the blanket fuel subsidy.
The temporary discount has nevertheless generated debate over whether the measure will provide meaningful relief to Nigerians and what will happen when the 30-day period ends.
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