Iyabosola Eletu, Lagos State woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has defended the federal government’s 30-day petrol discount initiative, saying it does not mark a return to the abolished fuel subsidy regime but offers relief to Nigerians.

Ms Eletu, in an interview with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, said the initiative was designed to provide temporary relief to Nigerians facing rising petrol prices and the attendant increase in transportation and living costs.

She urged opposition parties to assess the policy based on its objectives and implementation rather than dismissing it as a disguised subsidy arrangement.

“The federal government is concerned about the welfare of Nigerians,” she said. “The petrol discount scheme is an intervention aimed at cushioning the effects of rising fuel prices on citizens.”

Ms Eletu added that the government had distinguished the initiative from the former subsidy regime.

She said the measure shows the administration’s willingness to explore options to ease economic pressures on households and businesses.

“The scheme should not automatically be described as a return to fuel subsidy,” the politician said. “Nigerians should understand the government’s explanation and assess how the initiative is implemented and the benefits it delivers.”

She urged Nigerians to take advantage of the scheme as the discount could help reduce the cost of transportation and other essential services.

Ms Eletu called on Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the broader economic reforms required time and consistent implementation to achieve their intended objectives.

“Nigerians should remain patient while the measures are implemented,” she said.

She advised opposition parties to complement their criticisms with practical proposals that address the country’s economic challenges, rather than focusing solely on condemning government policies.

Ms Eletu acknowledged the importance of transparency in implementing the scheme, urging the relevant authorities to ensure that the intended beneficiaries received the benefits and that the public was adequately informed about its operation.

The APC chieftain urged the federal government to communicate its plans for the period after the 30-day discount expires to help Nigerians understand the initiative’s scope and possible continuation.

She called for sustained dialogue between the government and citizens, stressing that public concerns about fuel prices and the cost of living should be addressed through effective policies and measurable outcomes.

(NAN)