₦airaland Forum

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has urged President Bola Tinubu to apologise to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Nigerians over the removal of petrol subsidy, accusing the Federal Government of adopting an intervention similar to a proposal it had previously criticised.

Frank, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, was reacting to the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, with priority given to public transport operators.

He said the temporary measure exposed inconsistencies in the administration’s position on petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians deserved lasting relief from the economic hardship that followed the policy’s removal in 2023.

“We expect Tinubu and his government to first apologise to Atiku Abubakar for its previous attacks on his position to return fuel subsidy if voted into office as President.

Secondly, he should commend him and thank him for what we consider an excellent proposal that could help address the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.

“Rather than dismissing his proposal, the government should recognise its potential to provide relief to Nigerians who are struggling with the prevailing economic situation.

Any government genuinely committed to the welfare of the people should be willing to consider practical ideas that can ease their suffering, irrespective of who puts them forward,” he said.

The Federal Government announced the 30-day discount on Thursday as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the arrangement was not a return to subsidy but an offer to sell petrol at cost for an initial period of 30 days.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, questioned the distinction between the discount and the subsidy arrangement abolished by the administration, arguing that the new measure represented a shift from its earlier position.

Simply put, Tinubu, who maintained a hardline stance on fuel subsidy removal, has gone back to his vomit,” he said.

He added: “The President must immediately apologise to Nigerians over the fuel subsidy removal now that he has realised his policy mistake, which has taken a huge toll on Nigerians economically since 2023.”

Frank questioned whether the temporary intervention would provide meaningful relief to Nigerians grappling with rising transport costs, food prices and declining purchasing power.

He said the removal of subsidy in May 2023 had affected households and businesses nationwide, as higher petrol prices increased the cost of transporting goods, running businesses and meeting basic household needs.

“For millions of Nigerians, the consequences of higher fuel prices have extended beyond the cost of filling a vehicle’s tank.

“Increased transport and logistics costs have put pressure on traders, manufacturers, farmers and small businesses, while households have had to contend with rising expenses for commuting, food and other necessities,” he said.

Frank argued that a 30-day discount could not reverse the cumulative effects of more than three years of economic pressure, particularly on workers and small-business owners whose earnings had struggled to keep pace with rising living costs.

He also questioned the scope and implementation of the intervention, asking how many NNPCL retail outlets would participate, how much petrol would be sold at discounted rates and what measures the government planned after the initial 30-day period.

He urged the government to explain how the arrangement would provide sustained relief to transport operators, traders, workers and low-income households rather than offer only temporary reprieve.

The former APC spokesman said the announcement had revived debate over Atiku’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

In August, Atiku reiterated his position, declaring: “On the question of subsidy, my position has not changed and will not change: I will restore it!”

The former vice-president had argued that Nigeria should use its resources to protect citizens from severe economic hardship.

The Presidency, however, challenged the proposal, questioning its fiscal and legal basis and asking how a restored subsidy would avoid the problems associated with the previous system.

Frank said the Federal Government’s latest intervention had vindicated Atiku’s call for a subsidy arrangement to cushion Nigerians against rising fuel and transport costs.

“But now, having seen the light in Atiku’s proposal, Tinubu simply came down off his high horse and adopted the idea without any acknowledgments,” he said.

He warned the President against assuming that the temporary discount would erase public dissatisfaction over the economic consequences of subsidy removal.

“Nigerians are no fools. They know how their present economic predicament started with ‘fuel subsidy is gone’ in 2023. They will definitely use their votes to reclaim their country and set it on the path of economic progress come 2027,” he said.

Frank maintained that the central issue was not whether the government described its latest intervention as a discount or a subsidy, but whether it would deliver meaningful and sustained relief.

He called on the administration to explain how the measure would address the wider cost-of-living crisis and ease the burden of high energy and transport costs on households and businesses.

He insisted that Nigerians needed a coherent, long-term economic response rather than an intervention that would expire after 30 days.

Time will TELL

More to it






Kidnappers are Politicians

TALK is CHEAP

It well to her





Things dey happen

REAL GOAT HAS






Retired

Life GOES on








Safe journey to under WORLD

Either


On colos


Or


Not biological child

Transport fares across Nigeria have soared following petrol price increases to between N1,400 and N1,480 per litre, leaving commuters waiting for the federal government's promised Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric transit relief.

Current Transport Fare Trends

• Intra-City Bus Fares: Average city bus fares reached N1,431.25 per trip, marking a 38.63% increase year-on-year according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

• Intercity Bus Fares: Long-distance intercity fares climbed to an average of N9,699.55, driven by high diesel and petrol operational costs.

• Motorcycle (Okada) Fares: Local okada fares surged the steepest, jumping 52.45% year-on-year to an average of N1,072.51.

• Water & Air Travel: Water transport fares rose 30.88% to N2,276.48, while domestic airfares averaged N157,552.19.

Key Drivers Behind the Hike

• Fuel Pump Price Spikes: Petrol prices escalated to N1,400–N1,480/litre nationwide, forcing commercial operators to adjust ticket prices by 20% to over 100% on high-traffic routes.

• Import and Maintenance Costs: Spares, tires, engine oil, and vehicle servicing have spiked due to foreign exchange pressures and poor road conditions.

• Stalled Government Interventions: Despite President Bola Tinubu setting an October 1, 2026, target for lower fares via CNG and electric vehicle deployment under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, many commuters in Lagos, Abuja, and other states report that commercial fares remain unreduced due to a shortage of CNG refuelling stations and delayed fleet rollouts.

If you share your specific route (e.g., within Lagos or intercity), I can help you check typical current fare estimates or alternative transit options.

The Guardian Nigeria News

Infrastructure, execution gaps dog national bus fare reduction target

• Pi-CNG: Transport fare reduction has already begun • Lagos receives 20 more CNG buses “If you jump on a CNG bus today from Gwagwalada to Abuja, you will be pa...

Daily Trust

Transport fares rise as petrol hits N1,400/l – Daily Trust
24 Jul 2026 — Petrol Prices: Ex-depot and pump rates surged nationwide reaching N1,215 to N1,400 per litre due to rising global crude and constrained domestic naira-for-crude...
intercity.ng

Why Are Transport Fares Increasing in Nigeria? Fuel Prices Explained ...
Companies adjust ticket prices to remain in business. For example, if a bus consumes hundreds of litres of fuel weekly, even a modest increase in fuel prices ca...

Commuters Await Relief As Transportation Prices Remain High

2 Oct 2026 — Cheaper Transport Fares: Commuters Await Relief As Transportation Prices Remain High - YouTube This content isn't available. The Federal Government's plan to re...

LEADERSHIP Newspapers
Workers, Parents Lament As Transport Fares Soar

Workers, Parents Lament As Transport Fares Soar by Igho Oyoyo 20 hours ago in News The recent increase in the pump price of petrol to between N1,400 and N1,480 ...

Punch Newspapers

Fuel hike: FCT residents lament rising transport fares

13 Mar 2026 — Fuel hike: FCT residents lament rising transport fares News March 13, 2026 12:01 pm File: FCT city gate By Agency Report Kindly share this story: Residents of t...

Arise News

Transport Costs Rise Across Nigeria As Intra
30 Jun 2026 — Transport Costs Rise Across Nigeria As Intra-City Bus Fare Climbs 39% In One Year – Arise News. Your browser can't play this video. ... The report showed that t...

Punch Newspapers

Average city bus fare rises 2.43% to N1,431 in May
Average city bus fare rises 2.43% to N1,431 in May Transport July 1, 2026 6:13 am By Princess Etuk Kindly share this story: The average fare paid by commuters f...

The Guardian Nigeria News

Commuters await cheaper fares as Tinubu’s October 1 transport ...
7 Oct 2026 — Share : Despite the Federal Government's October 1 target for Nigerians to begin experiencing measurable reductions in transportation costs, commuters in Lagos ...

Fuel increased NATION wide






Transport fare not smiling

Talk is CHEAP

Rubbish






Transport fare has increased everywhere in Nigeria.

Always on black

Port Harcourt Refining Company






Is it working ?




Scam everywhere.

Rip to all

Who is Portable?

Failure politician

Where is No man's LAND ?

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the squad if he wishes, despite walking out on his team-mates, said national team coach Jorge Jesus on Sunday.

Jesus said Ronaldo can come back into the fold “if he wants to” after the team beat Norway without the veteran attacker to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.

The dispute began last week when Jesus left 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal’s first win over Norway. Ronaldo subsequently walked out on the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark.

For me, Cris, in the next call-up, if he’s playing at Al-Nassr, he’ll be a player who can be called up,” Jesus told reporters, referring to Ronaldo’s Saudi club side. “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team.”

The coach said if Ronaldo wishes to speak to him before Portugal’s next matches in November, that would happen.

“If he wants to, as we did before this call-up, we talked before the call-up, we can talk before the next call-up,” continued Jesus. “But Cris is the one who’s going to decide.”

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

Jesus said he had told Ronaldo he needed him in the squad for his first games at the helm after replacing Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup.

“Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he’s the one who will decide how he wants it,” said Jesus.

“That’s how we talked, the two of us — I said, ‘I need you’. In my first call-up, I said, ‘I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you’. And now I’m saying the same thing.”

Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18, has said this will “probably” be his final year in football.


The forward has been a fixture of the national team for more than two decades and has played at six World Cups.

In Ronaldo’s absence Portugal became the first team to secure a place in the quarter-finals, with two group games still to play.

Ronaldo’s long-time rival for the title of the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.



The dispute began last week when Jesus left 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal’s first win over Norway. Ronaldo subsequently walked out on the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark.

Every humans has is potential and TIME

On


EARTH.






no champion forever.

No free money in free TOWN

Man die once

Atiku,bola fani,obasanjo etc







Are problems of this nation

Abia in progress

Useless and Rubbish






Leaders

Na North Central get YAM e.g benue and co.


Na Southwest get bitter kola e.g oyo and
co









But na EASTERN dey celebrate it.

Calls on Ndigbo to reject divisive politics

The Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State has urged the Minister of Works and former governor of the state, Senator David Umahi, to focus on governance and infrastructure delivery rather than what it described as divisive political rhetoric against former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

The party also cautioned Umahi against personal attacks on Obi, urging him to allow Ebonyians to freely make their political choices in the 2027 elections.

The LP made the call in a statement jointly signed by its 2027 governorship candidate, Comrade Chief Splendour Oko Eze; candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh; Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate, Chief Henry Udeh; and Ebonyi North Senatorial candidate, Chief Ogbodo Nwede Mitchell Nwabueze Michael.

The party also called on Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora to reject divisive politics and preserve the commercial, cultural and social relationships that have historically connected communities across the South-East.

The LP said political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine the longstanding ties between Ebonyi and Anambra states.

“We state categorically that Anambra people do not treat Ebonyi people as second-class citizens,” the party said, describing the relationship between Ndi Anambra and Ndi Ebonyi as one founded on “decades of brotherhood, shared culture, commerce, and mutual respect.”

It cited the contributions of prominent Anambra businessmen, including Chief Arthur Eze, Chief Cletus Ibeto and Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson, to the economic development of Ebonyi State.

The party argued that the historical interactions between the two states demonstrated their interdependence and should not be subjected to the pressures of partisan politics.

Peter Obi remains our brother, not our enemy,” the LP declared, urging Ebonyians to exercise their political rights without being persuaded to regard fellow Igbo people as adversaries.

The party maintained that every citizen was constitutionally entitled to support and vote for a candidate of his or her choice, adding that political competition should be conducted within the bounds of democratic tolerance.

It said the more pressing responsibility of a serving minister was to address the infrastructure and development challenges confronting Nigerians.

As Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi should focus on delivering critical infrastructure rather than promoting political divisions,” the party stated.

The LP specifically cited the Enugu-Abakaliki Federal Highway and the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway as major economic corridors in the South-East requiring sustained attention and effective delivery.

The party also criticised the Vanco Flyover project in Abakaliki, alleging that its execution had affected businesses, displaced traders and disrupted the livelihoods of some residents.

It questioned the socio-economic consequences of the project and said affected citizens continued to bear the impact of the disruption to their businesses and livelihoods.

On the controversy over the alleged renaming or removal of Abakaliki Street in Anambra State, the LP said Obi should not be held responsible for decisions taken by a subsequent administration.

It argued that any grievance arising from the decision should be directed to the relevant authority in Anambra State rather than used as a basis for political attacks against the former governor.

On the contentious issue of zoning, the party said the debate should not overshadow what it described as more fundamental concerns, including governance, economic empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development.

The LP urged political leaders to place the welfare of citizens above personal and partisan considerations, stressing that the South-East could only advance through cooperation and collective development.

“Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi are one family united by a common heritage and destiny. We must not allow political interests to divide us,” the party said.

Ogun before Enugu






I laff in Spanish

LOVE has lost in the world

Salary increase effect