Afenifere, Arewa, others urge FG to reverse fuel price hike

Leading socio-cultural organizations, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and Arewa Youths, have issued stern warnings to the Nigerian government over the recent hike in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) pump prices, urging an immediate return to the previous rates.

The groups expressed concerns about the severe consequences of the price increase, which has seen fuel prices jump from around N600 to over N855 per liter, with some states witnessing prices as high as N1,400.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the hike to market forces, but the decision has exacerbated inflation and worsened the nation’s economy.

Citizens are grappling with skyrocketing prices of goods and services, while transportation costs have surged, leaving many civil servants stranded.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s factional Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, emphasized that the government must reverse the fuel price hike to avoid grave repercussions.

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He called for accountability within the NNPCL and warned that failure to act could lead to civil unrest and widespread protests.

Afenifere’s spokesperson, Jare Ajayi, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the fuel price increase would undermine the positive impact of other government policies, such as the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme.

He urged the government to instruct the NNPCL to revert to the old prices to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also criticized the government for poor communication regarding the fuel price hike.

AYCF President General Yerima Shettima called on President Bola Tinubu to address the nation and clarify the situation, stressing the need for transparency and better communication from the presidency.

The organizations collectively stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that if the government fails to act, the repercussions could be difficult to manage.