The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of reversing his position on fuel taxation, recalling his opposition to a proposed levy in Lagos State in 2003 as his administration considers introducing a five per cent fuel tax.
The opposition party on Tuesday said the proposed tax could raise petrol prices above N1,500 per litre, adding to the cost of transport, food distribution and household spending.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that Tinubu’s government could announce the tax on inauguration day if he wins re-election.
ADC cites Tinubu’s position in Lagos
ADC recalled that Tinubu opposed a fuel tax considered by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in December 2003, when he was governor of Lagos State.
The party said Tinubu had described the proposed levy as “double taxation” that placed an unfair burden on citizens.
“We recall that as governor of Lagos State, in December 2003, Tinubu vehemently opposed the fuel tax being contemplated by the Obasanjo administration, describing it as “double taxation” that placed unfair burden on citizens. Now, Tinubu does not care if the people are burdened to death,” ADC said.
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The party’s criticism came after Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele disclosed, on the sidelines of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, that the government would introduce the fuel tax when economic conditions improve.
Abdullahi alleged that the delay was linked to the next presidential election. He said the Nigeria Tax Act already provides for a five per cent fuel tax and that Tinubu signed the law in June 2025.
Proposed tax could take petrol above N1,500
ADC estimated that petrol selling at N1,450 per litre would cost N1,522.50 if a five per cent surcharge were passed directly to consumers.
At that price, buying 10 litres would cost N15,225, compared with N14,500 before the surcharge.
The party warned that the extra charge could raise transport expenses, food distribution costs and the operating expenses of small businesses.
It also questioned the government’s explanation that the tax would support road infrastructure and help stabilise fuel prices. ADC said Nigerians should see measurable improvements before facing additional financial obligations.
“This Tinubu-led APC never runs out of new ways to make survival more expensive. Each time Nigerians struggle to recover from one punishing policy, another burden is waiting around the corner. A government that has already removed fuel subsidies and subjected citizens to unprecedented economic pressures should be discussing relief, not preparing additional taxes.”
ADC proposed a different approach, asking Nigerians to support the fuel production subsidy proposed by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The party said the proposal offered a way to reduce fuel prices and the general cost of living.
“It’s the only way to bring down, not only the cost of fuel, but also the cost of living generally,” the party said.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
Tinubu signed the Nigeria Tax Act in June 2025, which ADC says authorises a five per cent fuel tax. The government’s stated position, as reported by the party, is that the tax will begin when economic conditions improve.
The claim that Tinubu would announce the levy after re-election is ADC’s allegation, not a confirmed presidential decision. The N1,522.50 figure is the party’s calculation based on petrol selling at N1,450 per litre and a five per cent surcharge.
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