ADC Applauds Tinubu for Scrapping 15% Fuel Import Tariff, Says Its Warning Prompted Reversal

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reverse the planned 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel, insisting that its earlier warning influenced the policy change.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it deserved credit for the reversal, noting that it had cautioned the government in October that the tariff would deepen the country’s economic hardship.

Abdullahi criticised the administration for announcing policies that are later withdrawn, arguing that such inconsistencies create uncertainty and weaken public confidence.

He noted that the ADC was pleased the government eventually rescinded the 15 per cent duty but expressed concern that this was the seventh policy reversal in two years.

The spokesman reiterated that the proposed tariff could have pushed petrol prices above N1,000 per litre, worsening the burden on families, transporters, commuters and small businesses.

The party also queried why the government considered taxing imported fuel before ensuring that Nigeria had adequate local refining capacity.

According to Abdullahi, conflicting statements from various government agencies over the reversal highlighted “confusion and disorganisation,” further undermining trust in the administration’s policymaking process.

He affirmed that the ADC would continue to “stand with Nigerians” and oppose any policy that threatens citizens’ welfare.

Opinion Nigeria News