Atiku slams Tinubu over petrol discount

According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday October 11, 2026, former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of using a N66-per-litre petrol discount to attract political support.

Atiku questioned the financial implications of the initiative and demanded clarification on who authorised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to finance the arrangement.

He expressed concerns about whether the measure was genuinely intended to reduce the financial pressure on Nigerians or was an attempt to secure public approval using the state-owned oil company’s resources without adequate disclosure of the costs involved.

The former vice president raised these issues in a statement released by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

Atiku questioned whether the NNPC board had formally approved the discount before the Presidency announced the initiative to the public.

He also called on the government to clarify whether the arrangement complied with the company’s established corporate procedures and identify the financial analysis that informed the decision.

Furthermore, he demanded an explanation of how the revenue lost through the discounted petrol sales would be recorded in the company’s financial statements.

According to Atiku, the initiative’s potential impact on consumers was also questionable because of the limited number of retail outlets operated by NNPC Retail compared with Nigeria’s population.

“The discount’s reach is also questionable, given that NNPC Retail operates just over 900 filling stations for a population of about 242 million Nigerians,” Atiku said.

His comments have placed the spotlight on the transparency and accountability surrounding the petrol discount, particularly the role of the national oil company in funding the arrangement.

Atiku’s demands centre on the need for the government to explain the decision-making process, disclose the financial consequences and clarify whether the initiative received the necessary internal approvals before implementation.

The ADC presidential candidate maintained his criticism of the measure, raising questions about its purpose, reach and implications for NNPC’s finances.

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