Fuel price hike: ‘You are wicked!’

By Nsikan Ikpe

More reactions have continued to greet the Nigerian Government’s decision, Wednesday, to remove subsidies on fuel and the latest is from the Labour Party.

In its own reaction to the decision, the party described the move to increase the price of fuel, and particularly petrol from N86.50 to N145.oo as cruel and unacceptable

The national leadership of the party expressed shock and displeasure over the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, by the Federal Government.

This was contained in statement signed by the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Abdulkadir Abdulsalami, and National Secretary, Julius Abure.

The statement said: “After critically analyzing the issues involved, we have come to the inevitable conclusion that the new price for PMS is unwarranted, unnecessary and unacceptable especially at this time when our people are grasping with the harsh social economic conditions occasioned by poor leadership.”

The party hinted that this recent development has shown that President Muhammadu Buhari has no new and innovative solutions to the plethora of challenges confronting Nigeria.

The party in the statement expressed regret that the ruling All Progressives Congress under Buhari is yet to fulfil his promise to Nigerians for better life, availability of products and building of new refineries.

Upset by the development, the party said: “One year down the road of this administration, no foundation has been laid for any refinery but have continued to recycle pass excuses.”

It added that it is unfortunate that a government, which rode to power through popular participation could engage in such a cruel hike.

The party called on the government to revert to the old price of N86 per litre.

The party warned that the current increase portends grave implications for Nigerians and vowed to resist the increase in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress and its allies.

A botched attempt to completely remove fuel subsidies contributed to the fall of the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration.