Opposition Party Says Rising Fuel Costs Are Driving Up Food, Transport and School Fees
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the rising cost of petrol, with prices reaching as high as ₦1,470 per litre in some areas.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja on Tuesday, the party said the increase had worsened the cost of living for Nigerians.
The ADC said higher petrol prices were affecting food, transportation, electricity, education and other basic necessities.
The party also cited reports of private schools increasing fees by between 30 and 40 per cent, saying the development was adding to the financial pressure on families whose incomes had not increased at a similar rate.
It said school proprietors were also facing higher operating costs, including taxes, electricity, fuel, rent and salaries, and therefore should not be solely blamed for the fee increases.
The opposition party said the impact of rising petrol prices extended beyond transportation, affecting households and businesses across the country.
The ADC alleged that some families were being forced to skip meals, withdraw children from school, delay medical treatment and shut down businesses because of rising costs.
The party also criticised what it described as extravagant spending by public officials while ordinary Nigerians were being asked to make economic sacrifices.
On the 2027 presidential election, the ADC said Nigerians would have to choose between continuing with the current economic policies and the alternative proposed by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The party said Atiku had proposed restoring fuel subsidy to support domestic fuel production and reduce the cost of food, transportation and production.
The ADC urged the Tinubu administration to address the economic hardship, warning that Nigerians’ resilience should not be interpreted as acceptance of the current situation.