Isaac Samuel
The African Democratic Congress has warned that the latest increase in petrol prices, coupled with rising food and other living costs, is pushing Nigerians towards their limit of endurance.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday, said petrol prices of up to N1,470 per litre had further increased the cost of transportation, food, electricity, education and other basic necessities.
The ADC described the N1,470 per litre price as a Tinubu Tax, arguing that the development had worsened the economic hardship confronting households and businesses.
The party said, “President Tinubu has turned the petrol pump into an instrument of punishment for everyday Nigerians. Food, transportation, electricity, education, and everything Nigerians need to survive respond directly to the price of fuel.
“At N1,470 per litre, it is Tinubu Tax, which has made life unbearable for the majority. Under Tinubu and the APC, Nigerians have been tightening their belts. Now, there are no more holes left, and people have started to choke.”
According to the party, the rising cost of living had forced some families to skip meals, withdraw children from school, abandon medical treatment and shut down businesses.
The ADC also cited reports of private schools increasing fees by between 30 and 40 per cent, describing the development as further evidence of the pressure on households.
It argued that the income of parents had not risen at a comparable rate despite increases in fuel, food, rent, transportation and school fees.
The party, however, said it did not blame school proprietors for the increases, noting that they were also facing higher taxes, electricity bills, fuel costs, rents and wage bills.
“Parents, workers, and businesses are all casualties of Tinubu and the APC’s economy,” the party said.
The ADC said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would restore fuel subsidy if elected, with the aim of reducing petrol prices and the cost of food, transportation and production.
It argued that economic reforms should ultimately improve the welfare of citizens rather than worsen their living conditions.
“A reform that continuously makes the people poorer is not working. An economic policy that produces impressive figures at government briefings but hunger in Nigerian homes is a failure,” the party stated.
The ADC said the 2027 general election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to choose between the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and the alternative programme proposed by Atiku.
It added, “Unlike Tinubu and APC, we recognise that economic reform must serve the people, not sacrifice them.”
The party urged the President to take immediate measures to address the rising hardship, warning that the resilience of Nigerians should not be used as justification for continued economic pressure.
