CNG rejects fuel price hike, urges FG to address hardship

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has condemned the recent increase in fuel prices by the federal government and called on President Tinubu to address the hardship. 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has raised the official pump price at its retail stations across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

National Coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, in a statement, called on Tinubu to heed the voices of the electorate, prioritize their welfare, and ensure that democratic values of accountability and transparency are upheld. 

Charanchi criticized the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for exacerbating the situation through the pursuit of its president Joe Ajaero’s interests, rather than addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s economic challenges. 

He said: “Let it be reminded that an increase in fuel prices is tantamount to creating artificial raises in prices of goods and services in the country because of the centrality of fuel to the economy and the domino effects that naturally resonate such jerk up.

“It is imperative to remind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians did not vote for the Group Managing Director of the NNPCL or any other unelected official. The people elected him as President, and it is expected that he governs with compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“We have credible reports indicating that in some states, fuel prices have already surged to an outrageous ₦1,400 per liter. This is unacceptable and a direct assault on the economic wellbeing of the masses, who are already grappling with soaring inflation, unemployment, and pervasive insecurity.”

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The CNG warned that the policy will have serious consequences for the Tinubu administration, as the trust and patience of the Nigerian people are wearing thin.

He added, “This price hike is devoid of any democratic consideration and reflects a disconnect between the government and the people. Democracy, ideally, is supposed to be, in practice, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

“However, this policy of constant-fuel-price-raise is clearly anti-people and anti-democratic that spells doom for the administration and the remnant of any goodwill. If the government truly believes in the principles of democracy, it must urgently reconsider this policy and take immediate steps to retract to avert further suffering of the masses.

“Undoubtedly, data from the government-owned National Bureau of Statistics and other authoritative organizations such as Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Bank and African Development Bank have confirmed that millions of Nigerians are deeply entangled in poverty and food insecurity which portend dire consequences for the country.

“Hence, this latest stretching of Nigerians’ credulity will most certainly accentuate further breeding of multidimensional poverty and hunger which would not augur well for the country and the administration.”

The CNG cautions that accountability, transparency, and evidence-based policies must not be jettisoned to be upheld as democratic values upon which democracy would thrive.