ADC: Tinubu May Raise Petrol Price to N1,522 After 2027 Re-election
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could introduce a proposed five per cent fuel tax immediately after securing re-election in 2027, potentially pushing petrol prices above N1,500 per litre.
The party said the proposed tax could worsen Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis, increasing transportation costs, food prices and the financial burden on households and small businesses.
In a press release dated October 20, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC was reacting to comments by the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, who reportedly disclosed on the sidelines of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, that the government would introduce the fuel tax when economic conditions improve.
However, Abdullahi alleged that the administration was delaying implementation of the tax for political reasons, insisting that it could be activated if Tinubu wins another term.
“They have already enacted the law for a 5% tax on fuel under the Nigeria Tax Act. And President Tinubu has signed it into law since June 2025. If they are not activated it yet, its because of re-election,” the ADC spokesman said.
He added: “Once Tinubu is re-elected, he will announce the new tax law on the inauguration ground, just as he did for fuel subsidy in 2023.”
The party illustrated the potential impact of the proposed tax, saying that if petrol sells for N1,450 per litre, a five per cent surcharge passed directly to consumers would increase the price to N1,522.50 per litre.
According to the ADC, such an increase would have serious implications for transportation, food distribution, small businesses and household spending.
The party criticised the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, arguing that Nigerians already facing economic hardship should be offered relief rather than subjected to additional taxes.
“This Tinubu-led APC never runs out of new ways to make survival more expensive. Each time Nigerians struggle to recover from one punishing policy, another burden is waiting around the corner,” the statement said.
The ADC also questioned the government’s justification for the proposed tax, which it said was intended to support road infrastructure and fuel-price stabilisation.
It maintained that Nigerians should see measurable improvements in infrastructure and economic conditions before being asked to bear additional financial obligations.
Recalling Tinubu’s opposition to a proposed fuel tax during his tenure as Lagos State governor in December 2003, the party accused the President of abandoning his previous position.
The ADC said Tinubu had then described the proposed tax under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “double taxation” that unfairly burdened citizens.
“Now, Tinubu does not care if the people are burdened to death,” the party added.
The opposition party urged Nigerians to support its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and his proposed production subsidy for the petroleum sector.
According to the ADC, the proposal offers a way to reduce fuel prices and ease the broader cost-of-living crisis.
The party maintained that reducing the cost of fuel would help lower transportation and food prices, while easing the financial pressure on households and businesses.
