The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has criticised the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, describing it as a “failed media stunt” that offers little relief to Nigerians struggling with high fuel prices.   The campaign organisation of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, said the temporary measure fell short of expectations for a significant reduction in petrol prices. In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, the organisation described the discount as an “offensive and provocative attempt to beguile Nigerians”. The group argued that Nigerians deserved a more substantial reduction, questioning why the government was offering what it described as a mere ₦60 discount after significant increases in petrol prices. Makinde Camp Faults 30-Day Limit The organisation also criticised the decision to restrict the discount to 30 days, arguing that the measure would not provide lasting relief to households and businesses facing rising living costs. It further questioned the limited availability of NNPC-owned filling stations, claiming that the arrangement would prevent many Nigerians from benefiting from the discount. “The fact that the minuscule reduction will only be on scantly located NNPC-owned retail filling stations and for a period of one month clearly shows that the Tinubu administration has come to its wits end and become bereft of solutions,” the statement said. The campaign organisation also faulted the Federal Government’s proposal to sell crude oil to domestic refineries at dollar-denominated rates, describing the arrangement as distasteful for an oil-producing country. FG Targets ₦1,350 Petrol Cost Ceiling The criticism followed the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day discount on petrol sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), with priority given to public transport operators nationwide. Announcing the initiative on Thursday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the arrangement was not a fuel subsidy but an effort to sell petrol at cost. “We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance with priority for public transporters nationwide. So, it’s not a subsidy, government is just saying we sell to you at cost,” Oyedele said. The minister also disclosed that the government was negotiating a ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol to help stabilise pump prices. He clarified that the proposal did not mean petrol would be sold at a fixed pump price of ₦1,350 per litre. Instead, it was designed to limit the immediate impact of fluctuations in global crude oil prices and exchange rates on domestic fuel costs. According to Oyedele, refiners and importers would initially absorb costs exceeding the proposed ceiling and recover the shortfall later when market conditions improved. He said the arrangement was neither a subsidy nor price control, but a mechanism to reduce sudden changes in petrol prices. Makinde Camp Calls for Greater Relief Despite the government’s proposed measures, the Makinde campaign maintained that Nigerians deserved a more substantial and lasting reduction in petrol prices rather than what it described as a temporary intervention ahead of the 2027 general elections. The organisation reaffirmed its support for Makinde as the APM presidential candidate, describing him as capable of providing honest and responsive leadership. The development adds to growing political criticism of the Federal Government’s approach to petrol pricing, with opposition figures questioning whether the 30-day discount will deliver meaningful relief to Nigerians.