The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the federal government to introduce a temporary cap on petrol prices to prevent further increases that could worsen the cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria.
The party said while global oil market volatility linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East may be contributing to rising fuel prices, the government must take steps to protect citizens from the impact.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also proposed targeted palliatives for low-income Nigerians and questioned the practicality of the government’s plan to distribute 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits.
According to Abdullahi, the number of conversion kits represents less than one per cent of the more than 11 million vehicles currently operating in Nigeria.
“The African Democratic Congress calls on the Federal Government to immediately introduce a temporary and time-bound cap on petrol prices to prevent further increases that continue to push the cost of living beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians,” the statement said.
The party noted that the latest fuel price increases reflect volatility in global oil markets, partly driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
However, it argued that external shocks should not be allowed to worsen economic hardship in Nigeria.
“External shocks cannot justify allowing fuel prices to spiral without restraint in an already fragile economy,” the party said.
The ADC also linked the current economic pressures to the removal of the fuel subsidy by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating that petrol price increases directly affect the cost of living.
“For everyday Nigerians, petrol determines the price of food, transportation and survival. When petrol rises, everything else rises with it,” the party said.
It urged the federal government to stabilise fuel prices and implement targeted palliatives to cushion the effects of rising energy costs, particularly for vulnerable households.
The party also criticised the government’s CNG conversion programme, saying the scale of the initiative is too limited to significantly impact the country’s fuel consumption.
“Nigeria has over 11 million vehicles on its roads. When placed in context, 100,000 CNG kits would reach less than one percent of the nation’s vehicle fleet,” the statement said.
It further questioned the limited availability of CNG refuelling stations across the country, warning that inadequate infrastructure could undermine the effectiveness of the programme.
“If Nigerians cannot easily find where to refuel, then the policy risks becoming an announcement without real impact,” the party stated.
The ADC called on the federal government to pursue a broader and more sustainable energy strategy capable of shielding citizens from extreme fuel price shocks.
According to the party, Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing nation should translate into policies that reduce energy costs and protect citizens from economic hardship.
“Protecting the welfare of citizens must remain the first duty of any government,” the statement added.
Friday Olokor, Abuja
