Nigeria PDP Criticizes President Tinubu Over Fuel Price Hike, Calls for Urgent Intervention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, issued a statement on Wednesday addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in response to the recent increase in the pump price of petrol.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had announced a new hike in fuel prices on Tuesday, July 19, 2023, making it the second increase since President Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy on May 29th during his inauguration…CONTINUE READING

The latest price increase has left Nigerians in distress, as fuel prices at NNPC stations surged from N530 to N617, and even higher prices are observed at other locations, depending on the marketers.

The PDP, through its spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the fuel price should not exceed N150 per litre. The party accused President Tinubu’s administration of maladministration, showing extreme insensitivity and callousness toward Nigerians.

It further blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government for worsening the already dire economic situation inherited from the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The PDP cautioned that the recent fuel price hike could potentially lead to a severe crisis in the country if not addressed promptly.

Ologunagba criticized the APC government for neglecting the welfare of the citizens, emphasizing that the primary purpose of the government, as stated in Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to safeguard the people’s well-being.

The opposition party expressed alarm over the state of Nigeria’s economy, citing the plummeting value of the naira, businesses shutting down, loss of livelihoods, and skyrocketing costs of essential goods and services.

The PDP attributed these challenges to the APC’s poorly planned and implemented policies, alleging corruption, cluelessness, and an inability to effectively manage the nation’s economy.

The PDP maintained that the current fuel price of N617 per litre is excessive and unacceptable, asserting that with efficient resource management, economic potentials, and an expanded value chain in refining capacity, fuel should not be sold for more than N150 per litre in Nigeria.