Fuel Prices: Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Arewa Youths Demand Immediate Reversal

Fuel Prices: Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Arewa Youths Demand Immediate Reversal

Leading socio-cultural organizations in Nigeria have issued strong warnings to the government regarding the recent increase in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices, calling for a reversal to previous rates…….CONTINUE READING 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa Youths separately spoke with DAILY POST on Saturday, stressing that not reverting to the old price could have severe repercussions for both the government and citizens. According to DAILY POST, fuel prices surged on Tuesday from approximately N600 to over N855 per liter, with some regions seeing prices as high as N1,400, exacerbating inflation.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the price hike to market forces. The rise has already led to significant increases in transportation costs, leaving many civil servants stranded and pushing intra-city travel fares from N1,000 to N2,000 in some areas. Commercial drivers have reported a decline in business profitability due to the new fuel prices.

Prices of goods and services have also soared. Femi Egbesola, President of the Association of Small Business Organizations of Nigeria (ASBON), indicated that the fuel price hike is causing commodity prices to rise. For instance, boutique owner Friday Johnson noted that the cost of goods would increase significantly when new stock arrives.

**Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Position:**
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, factional Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, warned of serious consequences if the government does not revert the fuel price increase. He called for an immediate rollback and a thorough investigation into the policies leading to the hike. Isiguzoro emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the petroleum sector to restore public trust and address the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.

**Afenifere’s Concerns:**
Afenifere spokesman Jare Ajayi criticized the timing of the price increase, arguing that it undermines the effectiveness of the Tinubu administration’s other policies, such as the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme. Ajayi urged the government to order NNPCL to reverse the hike to alleviate the ongoing hardships faced by the people.

**Arewa Youth’s Appeal:**
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) urged President Bola Tinubu to improve communication between the presidency and the public. AYCF President General Yerima Shettima suggested that better communication could address the frustration surrounding the fuel price increase and other government actions. He also discouraged any plans for nationwide protests, emphasizing the need for dialogue instead.

These socio-cultural groups are calling on the government to act swiftly to address the growing discontent and economic strain resulting from the recent fuel price hike.