The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that President Bola Tinubu could introduce a 5 per cent gas tax after the 2027 presidential election if he secures re-election, warning that the measure may push petrol costs above N1,500 per litre.
The social gathering stated the proposed tax may 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, said this in a press launch yesterday whereas reacting to feedback by the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, that the federal government would introduce the gas 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 resolution to delay the implementation of the tax was influenced by political concerns forward of the 2027 common elections.
According to him, the 5 per cent gas tax has already been offered for underneath 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 may announce the implementation of the tax after securing one other time period in workplace, drawing a comparability along with his declaration on gas subsidy removing 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 social gathering argued that implementing the proposed tax may end in one other enhance within the pump value of petrol, with penalties for households, transport operators, merchants and companies that rely upon gas for his or her each day operations.
It illustrated the potential affect utilizing a petroleum value of N1,450 per litre, stating {that a} 5 per cent surcharge handed on to shoppers would enhance the worth to N1,522.50 per litre.
The ADC warned that such a rise may additional increase the price of public transportation, items distribution and important companies, probably worsening the monetary difficulties confronted by households and small companies.
The social gathering 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 reveal measurable enhancements in infrastructure and financial circumstances earlier than introducing further costs that would enhance the price of residing.
The ADC stated Nigerians had been already contending with the consequences of earlier financial coverage choices, together with the removing of petrol subsidies, and urged the federal government to prioritise measures that may ease the strain on households slightly than introduce further monetary obligations.
The social gathering additionally cited Tinubu’s place on gas taxation when he was governor of Lagos State, claiming that he opposed the same proposal by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in December 2003.
According to the ADC, Tinubu had then described the proposed gas tax as “double taxation,” arguing that it might impose an extra burden on residents.
The social gathering questioned what it described as a departure from that place, accusing the president of supporting a measure that would additional enhance the price of residing.
It, nonetheless, urged Nigerians to think about the choice financial coverage proposed by its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which it described as a gas manufacturing subsidy.
The ADC argued that the proposed measure would assist scale back petrol costs and ease the price of residing, though the press launch didn’t present particulars of its proposed implementation or financing.
The social gathering maintained that the federal government ought to give attention to insurance policies able to lowering the price of important items and companies as Nigerians proceed to take care of financial pressures.
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