ADC: TINUBU MAY INTRODUCE 5% FUEL TAX IF RE-ELECTED
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of delaying the implementation of a five per cent fuel surcharge until after the 2027 presidential election, warning that petrol prices could rise above ₦1,500 per litre if the levy is passed on to consumers.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, following comments by Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele on the possible introduction of fuel taxes when economic conditions improve.
Abdullahi claimed that Tinubu could announce the implementation of the tax during his inauguration if he secures a second term, drawing a comparison with his declaration of fuel subsidy removal during his inauguration in May 2023.
“They have already enacted the law for a five per cent tax on fuel under the Nigeria Tax Act, and President Tinubu has signed it into law since June 2025. If they are not activated yet, it is because of re-election. 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,” Abdullahi said.
The party argued that introducing the surcharge would increase the financial pressure on households and businesses already dealing with high transportation costs and rising expenses.
Using ₦1,450 per litre as an example, the ADC said a five per cent surcharge would raise the price to ₦1,522.50 per litre if the additional cost were passed directly to consumers. It warned that the increase could affect transportation fares, food distribution, small businesses, and household spending.
Abdullahi also questioned the government’s justification for the proposed levy, which has been linked to funding road infrastructure and building a fuel reserve to help moderate price fluctuations.
The ADC spokesman recalled that Tinubu opposed a proposed fuel tax during his tenure as Lagos State governor in December 2003, reportedly describing it as double taxation. He argued that the administration should prioritise economic relief rather than impose additional costs on Nigerians.
The party urged Nigerians to consider the fuel production subsidy model proposed by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which it said could reduce petrol prices and the broader cost of living.
However, the Federal Government’s position on the levy has been more qualified than the ADC’s claim suggests.
During an interview with ARISE News on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, Oyedele discussed the possibility of introducing fuel taxes when the economy had stabilised and income levels could accommodate the additional cost.
He explained that introducing the levy while petrol was subsidised would have been counterproductive, while implementing it immediately after subsidy removal would have placed further pressure on Nigerians.
Oyedele subsequently denied that the government planned to introduce the tax, saying in a post on X on October 20 that a fuel tax was “not on the table”. He described reports that the government would introduce the levy once the economy stabilised as false.
In June 2026, the Federal Government had also dismissed reports that it was considering new taxes on petroleum products. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation clarified that although existing legislation provided for a fuel surcharge, implementation required a ministerial order and publication in the Official Gazette. The government said no such process was then under consideration.
The Nigeria Tax Act, signed by Tinubu in June 2025, provides for a five per cent fuel surcharge. However, the existence of the legal provision does not, by itself, establish that the levy has been activated or that it will be introduced after the 2027 election.
The ADC’s claim that the administration is withholding implementation for electoral reasons remains an allegation by the opposition party. Neither the minister’s remarks nor the existing legislation establishes that Tinubu would announce the tax if re-elected.