Former lawmaker and vocal politician Senator Dino Melaye has sparked intense public debate after boldly declaring that an African Democratic Congress (ADC) government will fully restore the fuel subsidy and crash pump prices from the current ₦1,400 per litre to between ₦400 and ₦500.
Appearing on AIT’s Democracy Today program, Melaye defended the party’s proposal to bring back subsidies, arguing that the primary goal is to “make Nigeria affordable again” for suffering citizens. He noted that soaring petrol costs have triggered a devastating ripple effect across transportation, food commodities, and aviation fuel, forcing everyday families from basic hunger into compulsory fasting. “Everything is around this subsidy. Once transportation is affected, movement of goods and commodities is affected,” Melaye stressed, emphasizing that petroleum products remain the vital connector for all sectors of the national economy.
Tackling criticism surrounding past subsidy regimes, Melaye asserted that what previous administrations labeled as “subsidy” was actually massive corruption and illegal diversion of public funds by a few elites. He insisted that an ADC-led government would eliminate systemic looting and redirect national wealth directly back to citizens. Melaye also questioned the economic rationale of the current administration’s borrowing levels, pointing out that public debt continues to rise steeply despite the complete removal of fuel subsidies.
As opposition parties double down on promises to reverse subsidy policies ahead of upcoming political battles, Melaye’s bold price prediction has reignited conversations on economic reform, inflation, and living costs nationwide.
Do you believe bringing back fuel subsidies and crashing petrol prices to ₦400 is realistic for Nigeria’s economy? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
