…Says pump prices remain above ₦1,400 per litre
By Myke Uzendu
The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has urged Nigerian youths to reject President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election, describing the administration’s reported petrol price discount as a “scam” that has failed to provide meaningful relief to consumers.
The council accused the APC, which it said had been in power for nearly 12 years, of failing to improve the living conditions of young Nigerians, many of whom continue to face unemployment, poverty and rising living costs.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the call during an interaction with ADC youth leaders in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State at the weekend.
Ologbondiyan in a statement on Monday, argued that Nigerian youths, who constitute a significant proportion of the country’s population, deserved a government with practical solutions to their economic challenges and a clear vision for their future.
He warned that voting Tinubu for a second term would, in his assessment, prolong the economic difficulties confronting young people.
“As youths, you have spent almost 12 years under the APC government confronting difficult economic circumstances, with many graduates struggling to find decent employment.
“For far too many, the available options have been petty trading, recharge card sales and operating point-of-sale (POS) businesses simply to survive,” he said.
The ADC-PCC spokesman described the petrol price discount announced by the Tinubu administration as misleading, arguing that the purported reduction had not translated into the expected relief at filling stations.
He said the government’s reported target of reducing petrol prices to ₦1,350 per litre was inconsistent with prices that, according to him, remained above ₦1,400 per litre at many filling stations.
“Every promise made by this government appears to end in disappointment. The latest example is the so-called discount on petrol prices, which the government claims will bring the pump price down to ₦1,350 per litre.
“Check the filling stations in your neighbourhood, and you will discover that Nigerians are still paying above ₦1,400 per litre. What, then, is the reality behind this so-called discount?” he queried.
Ologbondiyan maintained that announcements of price reductions would have little impact if consumers continued to pay high prices for petrol, with the resulting costs affecting transportation, businesses and other essential services.
“No Nigerian should be asked to celebrate a discount that exists only in government announcements while the reality at the filling stations tells a different story,” he said.
He added that Nigerians needed tangible economic relief rather than what he described as publicity-driven government measures.
“People are still buying petrol above ₦1,400 per litre, and Nigerians continue to struggle with the cost of transportation, business operations and other essential services.
“You cannot announce relief on television and social media and expect Nigerians to ignore what they experience every day. The people need tangible relief, not another round of publicity,” he stated.
The ADC-PCC also accused the administration of relying on announcements and promises without delivering sufficient improvements in living standards.
“This government will always announce one phantom relief or another, but the reality on the ground remains different. Token measures cannot resolve the hunger and hardship Nigerians are experiencing.
“After years in government, Nigerians deserve more than promises, excuses and propaganda. They deserve policies that work and leadership that understands their pain,” Ologbondiyan said.
The campaign council urged young Nigerians to mobilise across their communities and wards in support of the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.
Ologbondiyan said the party’s proposed approach to economic management and the petroleum sector would prioritise transparency, accountability and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
“You cannot continue to vote for a party that has failed to demonstrate a clear commitment to your future. The time has come to support a candidate who has proposed practical measures to make life affordable for Nigerians.
“Go to your various wards and take the message of affordable living to the people. Tell Nigerians that an alternative is available through our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi,” he said.
He added that Atiku’s proposed approach to the petroleum sector would seek to ensure that government policies translated into practical benefits for consumers.
“Atiku Abubakar understands the pain Nigerians are going through. His approach will be guided by transparency, accountability and the need to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.
“His position on fuel subsidy and petroleum sector management is that Nigerians must benefit from a system that is transparent, accountable and responsive to their needs,” he said.
Ologbondiyan called on young Nigerians to scrutinise the APC administration’s record and assess the presidential candidates based on their policies, performance and commitment to addressing the country’s challenges.
He urged them not to be swayed by campaign promises that were not matched by tangible results, stressing that young people deserved decent jobs, affordable living conditions and opportunities to succeed.
“Do not allow yourselves to be deceived again by promises that are not matched by results. Your future is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of political propaganda.
“Enough of a government of promises and failures. Nigerian youths deserve decent jobs, affordable living conditions, opportunities to succeed and a government that takes their aspirations seriously.
“Nigeria deserves better,” he concluded.
