 has taken credit for the Federal Government’s reversal of its plan to impose a 15 per cent){kind=link}
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken credit for the Federal Government’s reversal of its plan to impose a 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel, describing the policy U-turn as proof of indecision and experimental governance by President Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, recalled its warning on October 31, 2025, that the proposed tariff would exacerbate the financial strain on Nigerians already grappling with subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and rising living costs.
“Following our October statement, we are pleased that the government has heeded our call to reverse its ill-conceived plan to levy a 15 per cent import duty on fuel,” Abdullahi said.
“However, this is about the seventh instance in two years where policies are announced and quickly reversed, showing a worrying pattern of trial and error.”
The ADC highlighted that the proposed tariff risked pushing petrol prices above N1,000 per litre, further burdening households, transporters, farmers, and small businesses.
The party also questioned the rationale of taxing imported fuel without first ensuring adequate local production capacity.
Abdullahi criticised the government for sending conflicting messages on the reversal.
“While one agency described the policy implementation as postponed, another said it is no longer under consideration.
“This demonstrates a government working at cross purposes and lacking coherent planning,” he said.
The opposition party urged the administration to approach governance with responsibility rather than treating public office as a laboratory for experiments.
“Nigerians deserve better,” the statement concluded, promising that ADC will continue advocating for policies that protect citizens’ welfare.