Adebayo blames Tinubu for fuel price hikes, demands functional refineries

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of worsening Nigeria’s petroleum sector crisis, alleging that government policies have fuelled rising pump prices and deepened the country’s dependence on imported fuel.

Adebayo made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday, in which he criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the nation’s refineries and broader energy policy.

According to the SDP presidential candidate, the Tinubu administration has failed to make Nigeria’s refineries operational, forcing the country to rely heavily on imported petroleum products.

“They made us dependent on oil imports for everything. Then they removed the subsidies. After that, they started charging surcharges on the imports they necessitated. Pretty soon, they’ll be taxing the air you breathe,” he said.

Adebayo argued that the government now treats Nigerians as consumers rather than citizens.

“This government sees Nigerians as customers, not citizens. SDP knows that Nigerians have more important things to spend their money on. It’s time for real change,” he added.

In an accompanying video shared alongside the statement, Adebayo alleged that the Tinubu administration was imposing excessive taxes and levies on citizens.

“President Tinubu is a clever tax collector. He wants to collect tax from you for everything, including oxygen tax, soon if you are not careful,” he said.

The former presidential candidate also criticised President Tinubu’s role as Minister of Petroleum, accusing the administration of failing to revive state-owned refineries despite significant public expenditure on their rehabilitation.

“We gave you refineries to manage. You appointed yourself the Minister of Petroleum. We spent billions on refinery maintenance. You are not making the refineries work. You now want to surcharge me for your own inefficiency,” Adebayo said.

He described the government’s fuel pricing policies as anti-people, arguing that they have placed additional financial burdens on ordinary Nigerians.

Adebayo also reflected on President Tinubu’s political history, claiming the President had departed from the ideals he once championed during the pro-democracy movement.

“Tinubu that used to be in SDP… that was following Abiola everywhere, doing Hope ’93, has changed to the side of the money people.

“He is just thinking of how to collect more money for the war chest,” he said.

Using satire to underscore his criticism of the administration’s tax policies, Adebayo remarked that if left unchecked, the government could eventually introduce taxes on multiple births.

“If you have twins in your house, Tinubu is going to think of twin tax, multiple birth tax,” he said.

The SDP flagbearer maintained that the most effective solution to Nigeria’s recurring fuel price challenges is to restore the country’s refineries to full operation and eliminate dependence on imported petroleum products.

“What the President needs to do is ensure the refineries work and reduce fuel importation to zero,” he said.