₦airaland Forum

By Hadiza Musa


The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government over its decision to withdraw the proposed 15 percent import duty on petrol and diesel, saying the reversal shows that the Tinubu administration is not thinking through its policies before announcing them.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Friday, the party said the latest U-turn proves once again that the government is confused, unsure, and merely experimenting with governance.

Abdullahi recalled that the party had, on October 31, warned that the planned tariff would worsen hardship for Nigerians already struggling with rising living costs, subsidy removal and a weakened currency.

“While we welcome the decision of the government to reverse itself on the wrong-headed policy, we are concerned that this reversal is about the seventh occasion in two years where this government would announce a policy or decision and immediately reverse itself.

“As we noted in our statement reacting to the planned tariff, the new levy is likely to push the pump price of petrol beyond N1,000 per litre. If this happens, life would become even more unbearable for families, commuters, transporters, farmers, and small businesses already struggling under the weight of fuel subsidy removal without social protection and currency devaluation without safeguards.”

The party said it had also questioned why the government was considering a tax on imported fuel when local production capacity had not been secured.

The ADC also noted that the same concerns it raised were later cited by the Federal Government as the basis for the reversal, raising doubts about whether proper analysis or careful planning takes place within the administration.

According to the ADC, the repeated policy flip-flops show that the Tinubu government operates on trial and error, experimenting with decisions rather than following a clear, thought-through direction.

The party added that the situation was made worse by the conflicting messages coming from various government agencies, which offered different explanations for the policy reversal.

It said one agency claimed the tariff had only been put on hold, while another insisted it had been completely abandoned, reflecting a lack of coordination and clarity within the administration.

“This inconsistency portrays a government that is uncertain and working at cross purposes, to the detriment of citizens who deserve more coherent leadership.

“The party urged the Tinubu administration to understand that governing requires responsibility and careful judgment, and reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigerians against policies that may harm their welfare,” he said.

Islie:
https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/14/no-critical-thinking-in-tinubus-administration-adc-on-scrapped-fuel-tariff/

yarimo:
ADC looking for media attention by fire by force mteeeew

Islie:
https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/14/no-critical-thinking-in-tinubus-administration-adc-on-scrapped-fuel-tariff/

yarimo:
ADC looking for media attention by fire by force mteeeew

fredoooooo:
ADC APC and non critical thinking are like bread and butter

dederocs:
Confused government, the tariff was a good one, to boost local currency, because it will reduce the import, Dangote sells more and we import less, no need to demand for more dollars, the tariff was a good one, but seems the people benefiting from the fuel imports are fighting hard.

oluwaseyi0:
The tariff is and will always be a bad one
Fuel subsidy is already completely removed moving fuel from below 200 to almost 1000, adding tax will ultimately raise fuel to near 1500
Let dangote compete, let their be free market in an much as the import is not been subsidized
Nigerians can't keep bearing the brunt

helinues:
Overnight opposition ADC should stop talking nonsense all the time

dederocs:
Mr clueless, Dangote can supply the whole of Nigerian market, it's better for Dangote to be the sole supplier of fuel to Nigeria, if he can, the tariff won't affect Dangote refinery...this will boost our currency value, due to lower imports...it's balance of payments, basic economics.

oluwaseyi0:
You are the one that is more clueless
If Dangote can supply the whole country or Africa no one is stopping him, if his product is cheaper and better than import he will naturally gain the market share, what we will not agree is forcing Nigerian to subsidized dangote product by over taxing competitors, Dangote wants selfish monopoly at the costs of the populace
He should lower his price than imports price and see if people won't buy from him

Islie:
https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/14/no-critical-thinking-in-tinubus-administration-adc-on-scrapped-fuel-tariff/

oluwaseyi0:
The tariff is and will always be a bad one
Fuel subsidy is already completely removed moving fuel from below 200 to almost 1000, adding tax will ultimately raise fuel to near 1500
Let dangote compete, let their be free market in an much as the import is not been subsidized
Nigerians can't keep bearing the brunt