PDP: No adequate consultation on petrol subsidy removal

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the federal government of not making adequate consultation on petrol subsidy removal. 

The party’s position is contained in a communique issued on Saturday and signed by Umar Damagum, PDP acting national chairman, after a retreat organised for the party’s federal lawmakers-elect in Bauchi state.

On Monday, in his inaugural speech, President Bola Tinubu said the petrol subsidy regime was over.

The proposed removal of subsidy on petrol has been on the front burner of national discourse, with the commodity trading above N500 per litre in most states.

The main opposition party asked the federal government to engage organised labour and other stakeholders.

“The retreat expressed concerns over the quick removal of the petroleum subsidy and the lack of adequate consultation. It urged the federal government to engage in genuine dialogue with organised labour and other stakeholders to reach a fair and reasonable solution,” the communique reads.

“The retreat stressed the need for improved communication and synergy between the elected national assembly members and the PDP, ensuring lawmakers fulfil their responsibilities in line with party values and national interests.”

The PDP encouraged the lawmakers-elect to form inter-party alliances with other minority parties for “effective national development”.

The party also urged the judiciary to respect and apply the Electoral Act impartially in deciding the electoral cases before it.