Against the backdrop of the increment in the pump price of petrol from ₦488 to between ₦568 and ₦617 per litre, Nigerian main opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP), yesterday, rejected the hike, describing it as an act of provocation by the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration against Nigerians.
While the PDP accused the APC of extreme insensitivity and callousness towards Nigerians, the LP, on its part, said it was just the beginning of hard times Nigerians will be facing under the current administration.
Faulting the recent hike in petrol price, PDP accused the ruling party of extreme insensitivity and callousness towards Nigerians.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Debo Ologunagba, insisted that the new subsidy regime, which enjoyed the endorsement of the APC-led administration, was worsening an already dire economic situation.
Ologunagba, in a statement, said: ‘The party cautions that the increase is worsening the already suffocating economic situation under the APC and has the capability of triggering a very serious crisis in the country if not abated.
‘It is appalling that instead of seeking ways to stabilize and grow the economy, the APC administration has abandoned the welfare of Nigerians which is the primary purpose of Government under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and left the citizens to the vagaries of market forces and an exploitative cabal; a disposition that is characteristic of a government that is not accountable to the people.
Read Also: PDP, LP Attacks Tinubu As FG Lambasts EU Poll Observers
He further added that ‘The PDP is alarmed that with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, the APC is running Nigeria’s economy aground with the value of naira rapidly plummeting, businesses and production shutting down; citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as the costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket.
‘The present dire situation comes as a consequence of APC’s insensitivity, seething corruption, scandalous cluelessness and lack of capacity to effectively steady and manage the nation’s economy.
‘Indeed, this is not the nation that Nigerians yearned for after the abysmal, harrowing and inhuman eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration as the situation has currently gone from a frightening bad to a terrifying worse with no hope in sight.
‘The PDP dismisses APC’s insensitive and lame argument of market forces and comparison of the price of fuel in Nigeria with those of other countries which have functional infrastructure, variety of affordable alternative transportation system and sources of energy; strong currency and where citizens earn far higher than what obtains in Nigeria.
‘Our Party insists that the N617 per litre of fuel is excessive, unacceptable and cannot be justified under any guise. This is especially given the economic potential and prospects within our country.’’
On its part, Labour Party noted that the latest adjustment in the pump price of petroleum products is just the beginning of the hard times Nigerians will be facing under the APC-led government.
The party recalled how it earlier cautioned Nigerians against believing the dummy being sold to them by the APC administration about the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, saying the ruling party had no plan in place to ameliorate their sufferings.
LP, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said: ‘The Labour Party had earlier warned that the bourgeoisie government in place can only enrich the upper class and inflict penury on the proletariat.
‘You offer a paltry N8,000 to a family of five and extract all they have laboured for through obnoxious policies.
‘Nigerians do not deserve what they are getting from the present government. The Labour Party condemns the attitude of the government to its people. This is even coming at a time the Nigerian currency has continued to devalue under the watch of this government.
‘We are however optimistic that Nigeria will overcome the Taskmaster of our time. We will soon witness the Promised Land.’
Many Nigerians have continued to groan after the hike.