Fuel price hike stirs anger among Osun residents
By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The recent announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) regarding the increase in the price of petroleum products, despite the prevailing suffering of the people, is the most insensitive action taken by the government.
This action by the government is seriously inviting the anger of Nigerians if this suffering is allowed to continue.
Speaking with our correspondent in an interview in Osogbo, Dr Ayodeji Ologun, Executive Director of the Centre for Responsive Governance, described the government’s action as insensitive to the plight of suffering Nigerians who are struggling to eat one square meal a day.
According to him, this development, coming at this time, clearly shows how much they take the people for granted and are simply testing the will of the citizens.
“Nigerians were expecting a reduction in the price of fuel due to the sale of crude oil in Naira to Dangote, or at best, a gradual return of the fuel subsidy to ease the pain and suffering of the people. Instead, what they received was an abrupt increase.
“I truly believe that the will of the people is being tested, and when the people’s revolt comes, I sincerely hope it will be something that can be curtailed.”
Mr Ajibade Isaiah, a civil servant, said many Nigerians are already hypertensive due to the suffering inflicted by the constant increase in the price of petrol.
He stated that people are facing serious challenges such as hunger and insecurity, yet the government seems insensitive and less concerned about the urgent situation.
His words: “I don’t want to discuss this issue because a lot has been said. We were hoping that the government was serious about addressing the issue of hunger, which has thrown many families into despair. It is quite unfortunate.”
Mr Seue Sikiru, in his statement, said Nigerians have tolerated the current administration of President Tinubu so much that they are taking the patience of the masses for granted.
He pointed out that the continuous increase in fuel prices is causing hardship in all sectors of the economy and that the government has been inflicting untold hardship on the people, adding that the hike in fuel prices has become an abnormal situation.
“I don’t understand why the government has been so insensitive to the plight of ordinary Nigerians. This is a government that removed the subsidy and claimed that the money saved from it would be used to cushion the effects. To our greatest surprise, they are merely playing with the intelligence of the masses, who have become helpless.
“If care is not taken, the masses may result in a fuel revolution, as many cannot eat or breathe due to this hike in petroleum prices.”
However, since the announcement, some of the filling stations visited on Odogbo are already adjusting their prices to the new rate of ₦130 per litre.