A group under the aegis of Arise for Good Governance has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency reverse the recent astronomical increase in the fuel pump price in the interest of peace and welfare of Nigerians.
The Kogi state coordinator of the group, Solomon Agada, who made the call Sunday at a press conference held in Lokoja, the state capital , wondered why government that is aware of the current precarious situation the masses are passing through as a result of quantum insecurity and the effect of COVID-19 pandemic decided to unleashed more suffering on the people through the adjustment of petrol pump price.
Agada who was visibly angry said Nigerians are rejecting the increment in its entirety, adding that the hardship caused by the adjustment of the pump price within few days of its announcement was beyond endurance.
“Enough is enough to this nonchalant attitude of the federal government towards the plight of Nigerians even in the face of COVID-19 that has crippled many businesses in the country.
“It is evidently clear that Nigeria is one the largest producer of crude oil in the world and we cannot afford to eschew the maladministration of President Buhari’s administration on issue of fuel price increment.
“Today, banditry, kidnapping, Book Haram and other heinous crimes has taken over the country leaving the citizens in perpetual fear and agony and yet government seems not sincere on the fight to tackle the menace of security challenges in the country .
“Despite these series of challenges, the federal government without recourse for the welfare of the people increased the fuel pump price to N212:60k per litre. This is not acceptable.
“The Arise for Good Governance with its branches across the 36 states have vehemently opposed this decision of fuel price increase and we will not leave any stone unturned to mobilise ourselves and protest across the country until President Buhari remove the new pump price of petrol,” he warned.
He appealed to the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders in the governance of the country to prevail on President Buhari to jettison any form of increment in petroleum products, adding that there is no justification to take such decision at this critical period.
