Timi Frank Demands Tinubu Apologize Over Petrol Discount U-Turn

Comrade Timi Frank, who previously held the position of Deputy National Publicity Secretary within the All Progressives Congress, has called for President Bola Tinubu to apologise to both the nation and to Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-President. His demands come after the Federal Government announced a 30-day petrol price discount scheme at NNPCL retail outlets.

According to Frank, this temporary intervention signals a departure from the administration's earlier stances on fuel subsidy policy. In a statement released Friday, Frank contended that the government has quietly adopted an approach previously dismissed when Atiku proposed something similar.

He characterised this policy shift as exposing fundamental contradictions in how Tinubu's team has handled the contentious petrol subsidy question since taking office. The petrol discount functions as a measure aimed at reducing the severe financial strain resulting from sustained high fuel prices affecting Nigerian citizens.

Available information suggests that public transport operators receive priority access to the discount, indicating official recognition that this sector faces particular vulnerability to fuel price volatility. Frank's criticism centers on what he views as the administration's failure to acknowledge the merit in proposals it had rejected during the 2023 election campaign.

The 30-day discount programme, in his assessment, validates Atiku's earlier advocacy for temporary subsidy interventions. Furthermore, it highlights the ongoing economic struggles affecting Nigerians since the broader subsidy removal took effect.