Prince Isaac Fayose, a social commentator and younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his administration’s latest intervention in petrol pricing, questioning the timing of the decision as political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election intensify.
In a post shared on his Facebook page, Fayose expressed concerns about the President’s public campaign activities, the temporary petrol discount announced by the Federal Government, and what he described as the administration’s sudden recognition of Nigerians’ economic hardship.
His comments have generated debate online, with social media users offering different interpretations of the government’s actions and the potential implications for the opposition.
Fayose Questions Tinubu’s Campaign Activities
Fayose questioned why President Tinubu had not embarked on the kind of public rallies and town hall meetings he expected from a sitting president seeking re-election.
He suggested that the President was not sufficiently visible in public campaigning and claimed that Tinubu’s wife and son were taking a more prominent role in campaigning on his behalf.
According to Fayose, the President’s alleged limited public campaign presence was particularly striking given the approaching election.
He also argued that other political candidates were being prevented from campaigning at full capacity, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate that allegation.
Expressing his frustration, Fayose said: “Baba no fit comot and others must not be on the street, I've never seen anything like this in my life.”
His remarks reflect the growing political scrutiny surrounding the 2027 election, as Nigerians assess the visibility, policy positions and campaign strategies of President Tinubu and opposition figures.
FG Announces 30-Day Petrol Discount Amid Subsidy Debate
Fayose’s criticism comes after the Federal Government announced a 30-day petrol discount through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
On October 8, 2026, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele announced that NNPC Retail would forgo its retail profit margin and sell petrol at cost during the initial 30-day period, with priority given to public transport operators.
The government said the intervention was intended to cushion households and businesses against rising petrol prices and volatility in the global oil market.
However, the Federal Government maintained that the arrangement did not represent a return to the former nationwide petrol subsidy regime, which President Tinubu declared ended on May 29, 2023.
The distinction has become a subject of public debate, with critics questioning whether the temporary price intervention amounts to a form of subsidy in practice.
Fayose interpreted the announcement as a return to subsidy, arguing that the government had taken too long to respond to the financial pressure Nigerians have faced since subsidy removal.
He questioned why the administration was introducing temporary relief only after years of rising living costs.
According to him, the government’s sudden intervention raises questions about whether political considerations are influencing its economic decisions.
Fayose also suggested that the measure could continue beyond its initial 30-day period until the 2027 election.
However, the government has not announced that the discount will remain in place until election day.
‘It Is Not Easy to Defend This Government’
In his Facebook post, Fayose further argued that opposition politicians had previously advocated measures to ease the economic burden on Nigerians.
He suggested that proposals associated with Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar had influenced the government's latest decision, although he did not provide evidence establishing a direct connection between those proposals and the announcement.
Expressing disappointment with the administration, Fayose said:
“Ahh omo Naija, if you vote for this government, that means dem don remove your brain.”
He concluded that defending the administration had become increasingly difficult, adding that its performance was, in his assessment, nothing to write home about.
Nigerians React With Sarcasm, Political Predictions
Fayose’s comments also sparked humorous and politically charged reactions from social media users.
One commenter wrote that Nigerians might eventually understand why a pizza box is square, a pizza is round, and its slices are triangular if Tinubu wins in 2027.
Another used a groundnut analogy to suggest that anyone claiming to act in the public interest must demonstrate transparency.
Others praised Atiku Abubakar for what they described as putting pressure on the President, while some expressed support for Peter Obi and argued that his earlier economic proposals deserved greater attention.
One commenter joked that money in a bank account could boost the immune system, calling it “vitamin M.”
Another expressed concern that if Obi and Atiku contest against Tinubu separately, divisions within the opposition could affect the election's dynamics.
These reactions illustrate the competing opinions surrounding opposition unity, economic policy and the political consequences of the government's latest intervention.
2027 Election: Economic Relief Under Scrutiny
Nigeria's presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission's revised timetable.
As the election approaches, fuel prices, transportation costs, household purchasing power and the broader cost of living are likely to remain important subjects of public debate.
For the Tinubu administration, the challenge will be demonstrating that its economic interventions can provide meaningful relief beyond temporary measures.
For the opposition, the debate presents an opportunity to explain how alternative policies would address Nigerians' economic difficulties.
Ultimately, whether the 30-day petrol discount delivers meaningful relief will depend on its implementation, its impact on transport costs and what happens when the initial period expires.
Fayose's criticism has added another voice to the debate, raising questions about the timing of government interventions and the relationship between economic policy and electoral politics.
As Nigerians look towards 2027, the central question remains whether temporary relief will translate into sustained improvements in living standards.
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