The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has challenged the Federal Government to release its petroleum pricing template to enable Nigerians to understand how fuel prices are determined.
Makinde also promised to establish a four-year Government of National Unity if elected president in 2027, saying his administration would not remain in office beyond one term.
He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing stakeholders at the APM’s North-East town hall meeting in Yola, Adamawa State.
The Federal Government had announced on Thursday that it would introduce a 30-day discount on petrol sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as part of efforts to ease the burden of high fuel prices on Nigerians.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, subsequently said the arrangement was not a subsidy but an initiative to enable the company to sell petrol at cost during the promotional period.
Reacting to the announcement, Makinde called for greater transparency in the determination of petroleum prices, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know the basis for the figures used by the government.
He criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as the failure of some of its economic and energy policies, including initiatives involving compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicles and the naira-for-crude arrangement.
According to him, the government should make its pricing calculations public and allow Nigerians with relevant expertise to contribute ideas towards addressing the country’s economic challenges.
“We are asking for only two things. We do not want too much grammar; we just want relief for Nigerians. So, we ask the Federal Government to release its pricing template so that citizens will know how they arrived at the current petroleum price and let Nigerians see how things go. If they have a better solution, they will present it,” he said.
Makinde argued that occupying public office did not mean that only government officials had the expertise to develop solutions to the country’s problems.
“The fact that you are in government or the Presidential Villa does not make you the only Nigerians with sense. We have other citizens who can dissect issues and proffer solutions. So, please make your pricing template available to all, and we will make our input,” he added.
The governor also criticised the Federal Government’s record on electricity supply, saying the administration had failed to fulfil some of its promises to Nigerians.
He urged voters to assess political leaders based on their performance and ability to improve citizens’ living conditions.
Makinde further pledged to pursue inclusive governance if elected president, saying his proposed administration would listen to Nigerians, respect their rights and avoid playing politics with issues affecting their welfare.
“I want to say to you that 2027 will mark the end of the politics of lies and deceit. It is a time when we will all come together to establish a reset agenda and tell Nigerians the whole truth,” he said.
He explained that the APM had delayed the release of its manifesto to allow the party to gather views from stakeholders across the country before finalising its policy proposals.
“Our manifesto is on the way. We have deliberately delayed its release because we wanted to hear from you at this level. I will listen to you, and we promise that we will find new solutions to the problems we are faced with as a nation,” he said.
Earlier, the national leader of the APM and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, described the party as a major opposition platform, citing its governors and other elected representatives.
Mohammed expressed confidence in the party’s growing appeal, saying it was attracting new members and had the experience and capacity to contribute to Nigeria’s political development.
“APM is the number one opposition party in the country. We have two governors and other elected leaders. Whether we like it or not, we are a force to reckon with. Whoever does not reckon with us is going to do so at his or her peril,” he said.
The APM vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, also described the party as a platform for honest and patriotic Nigerians committed to addressing the country’s challenges.
Daura thanked residents of the North-East for their reception of the party’s delegation and said the APM would present its policies and programmes to Nigerians when its national campaign commenced.
He added that resetting the country would require the participation and commitment of Nigerians willing to work towards a better future.
