ADC Chides FG Over Policy Flip-Flops, Says Fuel Duty Reversal Vindicates Opposition

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s reversal of its proposed 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel, describing the development as further proof of weak policy coordination under President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the government’s retreat aligned with the ADC’s October 31 warning that the tariff would deepen the hardship created by subsidy removal, currency devaluation and rising living costs.

Abdullahi said while the party welcomed the suspension of the levy, it was worrisome that the administration had reversed itself “about seven times in two years,” often after intense public pushback.

He argued that the proposed tariff would have driven petrol prices above N1,000 per litre, worsening the plight of families, transporters, farmers and small businesses already struggling under current economic pressures.

The ADC questioned the rationale for imposing taxes on imported fuel before ensuring sufficient local refining capacity, noting that the same arguments formed the government’s basis for backtracking.

“We are left wondering whether any rigorous impact assessment is conducted in this government,” the statement said. “What has become clear is that President Tinubu is running a trial-and-error administration, fumbling through governance.”

The party also faulted conflicting explanations from government agencies, with one claiming the policy was merely postponed and another insisting it had been discarded entirely — a situation it said reflected confusion and poor coordination.

“Nigerians deserve better than a government speaking in discordant voices on critical economic decisions,” the party added.

The ADC reiterated that governance is a responsibility, not an experiment, and vowed to keep defending the welfare of citizens.

The Federal Government suspended the duty following widespread public outcry over its likely impact on already soaring fuel prices and the broader economy.