- By TopNews
The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has challenged the Federal Government under the watch of president Bola Tinubu to publish its petroleum pricing template, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know how pump prices are determined and should be allowed to contribute ideas towards reducing the cost of living.
Makinde made the demand at the APM North-East 2027 Town Hall Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where he criticised the government’s handling of the petroleum sector and called for greater transparency in decisions affecting fuel prices.
He argued that making the pricing calculations public would enable citizens with relevant knowledge and expertise to examine the figures and suggest practical ways to ease the financial burden on households and businesses.
“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.
The APM candidate maintained that the government should not assume that solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems could only come from public officials, arguing that wider public participation could help produce workable policies.
Makinde who also criticised the Federal Government’s initiatives on compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicles and the naira-for-crude arrangement, describing the policies as unsuccessful.
He said his call for the publication of the pricing template followed comments by the Minister of Finance on the adoption of price modulation for petroleum products.
“They came up with the presidential policy on CNG and electric vehicles. That policy failed. They came up with the naira-for-crude initiative. That policy also failed. Yesterday, I listened to the Minister of Finance on television. He said they are now adopting price modulation for petroleum products,” Makinde said.
He argued that Nigerians needed clear explanations of government decisions affecting the cost of petroleum products, adding that transparency would allow citizens to better understand the factors responsible for prevailing prices.
The candidate did not, in the remarks provided, outline the specific changes he would introduce to the pricing formula.
Questions Tinubu’s Electricity Promise
Makinde also revisited President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges within four years, arguing that the government had failed to fulfil its commitment.
He said persistent insecurity, poverty, unreliable electricity supply and other economic difficulties required urgent and practical responses rather than political rhetoric.
According to him, an APM-led administration would prioritise accountability, honesty and public participation in developing policies to address the country’s challenges.
Makinde further promised that, if elected president in 2027, he would run a transitional government of national unity and would not remain in office beyond four years.
“My promise to you, the North-East and the people of Nigeria is this: we will be sincere in finding solutions to the challenges that we are faced with. We will not play politics. We will not undermine your rights. We will ensure that we tell you the exact truth. We will listen to you. Solutions can come from anywhere,” he said.
He said his proposed administration would seek input from Nigerians across the country in formulating policies, maintaining that public participation and accountability would be central to its approach to governance.
Makinde’s demand for the publication of the petroleum pricing template adds to calls for greater transparency in the decisions that influence fuel prices and the wider cost of living in Nigeria.
