Nigerians on social media are reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s promise of cheaper fuel and transportation costs, berating the president as a wicked leader who is only appealing to citizens with promises close to the election after subjecting them to suffering for three years.

Mr Tinubu, after a meeting with governors on Thursday, said on X, “I am pleased with my discussion with the Governors’ Forum this afternoon. The Governors have, on their own initiative, resolved to take immediate measures to bring down the cost of transportation in their states, with a strong focus on leveraging the cost benefits of CNG and electric vehicles.”

Promising Nigerians cheaper transportation and fuel costs, Mr Tinubu said, “From October 1, our goal is that Nigerians begin to partake in those savings through lower transport fares. We have agreed that cheaper fuel should result in cheaper fares!”

Responding to Mr Tinubu’s X post, many mocked him for failing to make the move for three years until a few months before the election, while former vice president Atiku Abubakar has promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected in 2027.

An X user, @Oluwamisdunsin, a medical doctor, said “You’re Mean! You’re Wicked & this is a Testament. You Suffered Nigerians for over 3 years and few days to election you want to make an amendment?! Bro you no suppose die well.”

“Mr. President, is like Atiku Abubakar has put you on your toe. You suddenly remember that the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal is hitting Nigerians. The unfortunate thing is that, this proposal will only cover between now and the year year. After which the county will revert back to the hardship,” @MrGhata, a social media critic, said.

A lawyer, @Terzust said: “So after years of telling Nigerians to “endure” while fuel and transport fares skyrocketed, Tinubu suddenly remembers that cheaper fuel should mean cheaper transport with 2027 around the corner.

The election clock is ticking and suddenly miracles are happening. But his supporters will still tell you everything is “working.”

2027, we must send this incompetent leader back to Bourdillion.”

Another X user, @Sirchekwas said: “You and your wife are cunny fools. Stop deceiving the good people of Nigeria and starting hiding your faces in shame. You destroyed all we built just to please your second wives desire to repay evil on her Failed relationship. God will surely take you out if that seat in 2027.”

@speril23NG, a social media commentator, said: Cheaper fuel” If this man is delusional why is everyone around him also pretending like fuel has gotten cheaper than when he got into office? They tell citizens to convert to CNG but they are silent on the fact that it’s expensive to convert. If your stupid and wicked policies only make politicians richer, how does the reform benefit ordinary Nigerians whose lives have become way harder since this man took office?” 

@jrnaib2, digital media consultant, said: “For over three years, you embezzled the savings from fuel subsidy removal while poor Nigerians suffered in silence with no palliatives to ease their pain. Only now, after Atiku Abubakar promised to restore the subsidy if elected, do you suddenly remember that Nigerians need cheaper transport fares. Nigerians will not be deceived again. In 2027, we are voting for Atiku Abubakar. Thank you, Atiku, for forcing them to remember their duty to the people.”

@Evolve, who described himself as a product manager, said “3 years after you removed subsidy and transport fares crushed ordinary Nigerians, you suddenly remember that “cheaper fuel must mean cheaper fares”, just as 2027 is approaching. Where was this energy in 2023, 2024, and 2025 when people were already suffering? October 1 target after all this time looks like election-season memory, not governance. Nigerians have not forgotten.”