15% Fuel Duty: ADC Accuses Federal Government of ‘Trial-and-Error Governance’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel, arguing that the levy will further worsen economic hardship across the country. The party said the policy represents another heavy burden on citizens already grappling with rising costs of food, transport, rent and other basic necessities of life.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC cautioned that the government must avoid pushing Nigerians “to the wall”, stressing that economic reforms should prioritise the welfare of citizens and not protect private interests alone.

Policy Threatens Already Struggling Nigerians

The ADC contended that the new fuel import duty could push pump prices beyond ₦1,000 per litre, increasing transportation expenses, affecting production costs, and worsening inflation.

According to the statement, families, commuters, farmers, transport operators, and small businesses would bear the heaviest impact of such a policy in an economic climate already strained by the removal of fuel subsidy and the depreciation of the naira without adequate social protection measures.

The ADC argued that economic growth driven by policies that inflict hardship on the majority is counterproductive and ultimately destructive, noting that the government must rethink its approach if it hopes to build sustainable progress.

Questions Over Refinery and Economic Strategy

The African Democratic Congress also questioned the justification for the levy, particularly the claim that it is designed to protect local refining capacity. The statement pointed to the Port Harcourt refinery—touted as a major asset in the national refining plan—which reportedly collapsed just five months after a $1.5 billion rehabilitation programme, resulting in losses amounting to ₦366.2 billion.

The ADC warned that the administration’s economic strategy appears inconsistent and experimental, describing the “Renewed Hope Agenda” as either a series of trial-and-error policies or a self-serving programme with little regard for ordinary Nigerians. The ADC insisted that the welfare of citizens must remain at the centre of national policy formulation.

ADC Call for Human-Centered Economic Reforms

While acknowledging the importance of private sector participation in the energy industry, the ADC emphasised that such reforms must prioritise social stability and public welfare. It noted that government has continued to push a narrative of progress while essential services and commodities remain out of reach for many citizens.

The ADC urged President Tinubu to reconsider the tax and adopt policies that cushion economic shocks, warning that continued hardship could fuel widespread discontent and weaken public confidence in the administration