The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that President Bola Tinubu could introduce a 5 per cent gasoline tax after the 2027 presidential election if he secures re-election, warning that the measure might push petrol costs above N1,500 per litre.
The get together stated the proposed tax might enhance the monetary burden on Nigerians already grappling with excessive transportation prices, rising meals costs and different financial challenges.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, acknowledged this in a press launch yesterday whereas reacting to feedback by the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, that the federal government would introduce the gasoline tax when financial circumstances improved.
Oyedele reportedly made the disclosure on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) assembly in Bangkok, Thailand.
Reacting, Abdullahi alleged that the federal government’s determination to delay the implementation of the tax was influenced by political issues forward of the 2027 normal elections.
According to him, the 5 per cent gasoline tax has already been supplied for beneath the Nigeria Tax Act, which he stated Tinubu signed into legislation in June 2025.
“They have already enacted the law for a five per cent tax on fuel under the Nigeria Tax Act. President Tinubu has signed it into law since June 2025. If they have not activated it yet, it is because of re-election,” Abdullahi stated.
He additional alleged that the president might announce the implementation of the tax after securing one other time period in workplace, drawing a comparability together with his declaration on gasoline subsidy elimination throughout his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
“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 ADC spokesman stated.
The get together argued that implementing the proposed tax might end in one other enhance within the pump worth of petrol, with penalties for households, transport operators, merchants and companies that depend upon gasoline for his or her day by day operations.
It illustrated the potential affect utilizing a petroleum worth of N1,450 per litre, stating {that a} 5 per cent surcharge handed on to shoppers would enhance the value to N1,522.50 per litre.
The ADC warned that such a rise might additional elevate the price of public transportation, items distribution and important providers, probably worsening the monetary difficulties confronted by households and small companies.
The get together additionally criticised the administration’s justification for the proposed tax, which it stated was meant to assist highway infrastructure and fuel-price stabilisation.
It argued that the federal government ought to exhibit measurable enhancements in infrastructure and financial circumstances earlier than introducing further costs that would enhance the price of dwelling.
The ADC stated Nigerians had been already contending with the consequences of earlier financial coverage choices, together with the elimination of petrol subsidies, and urged the federal government to prioritise measures that will ease the strain on households moderately than introduce further monetary obligations.
The get together additionally cited Tinubu’s place on gasoline taxation when he was governor of Lagos State, claiming that he opposed an identical proposal by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in December 2003.
According to the ADC, Tinubu had then described the proposed gasoline tax as “double taxation,” arguing that it could impose a further burden on residents.
The get together questioned what it described as a departure from that place, accusing the president of supporting a measure that would additional enhance the price of dwelling.
It, nevertheless, urged Nigerians to contemplate the choice financial coverage proposed by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which it described as a gasoline manufacturing subsidy.
The ADC argued that the proposed measure would assist cut back petrol costs and ease the price of dwelling, though the press launch didn’t present particulars of its proposed implementation or financing.
The get together maintained that the federal government ought to deal with insurance policies able to decreasing the price of important items and providers as Nigerians proceed to take care of financial pressures.
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