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Outrage Over Fuel Price Hike: PDP, Labour Unions, Afenifere, and Civil Society Slam FG

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and various civil society organisations (CSOs) expressed outrage yesterday over the recent increase in petrol prices, criticising the federal government for exacerbating the hardship faced by Nigerians.

The PDP rejected what it termed a “punitive” hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has reportedly risen to over ₦1,000 per litre in several parts of the country. The opposition party described the increase as a “brutal assault” on the sensibilities and wellbeing of Nigerians by the “insensitive and arrogant” All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Afenifere, in its own statement, called for the immediate reversal of the price hike, urging the federal government to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to roll back the increase.

The NLC, in a statement issued yesterday, reminded the federal government of its commitment during the negotiations for the ₦70,000 minimum wage that there would be no further rise in petrol prices. The congress called the hike a betrayal of trust.

However, the presidency denied making any such agreement, insisting that no promise had been made to halt price increases.

Similarly, the TUC called on the government to reverse the decision on both the petrol price hike and the recent rise in electricity tariffs.

Several organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria and the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), also condemned the increase, demanding urgent reforms from the government to ease the economic burden on citizens. Business bodies such as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) joined the chorus of discontent, warning of the adverse effects on businesses and the economy.

The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said, “The thoughtless increase in fuel prices, especially at this time, is a recipe for crisis, as Nigerians cannot bear the additional strain on their already difficult economic situation under the Bola Tinubu-led APC administration.”

Ologunagba further argued that the APC government has consistently demonstrated a disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, accusing the administration of overseeing a corrupt and secretive petroleum sector that continues to drive up fuel prices without consideration for the people’s wellbeing. “Over 150 million Nigerians have been pushed into poverty under this administration, and the situation is set to worsen with the current inflation and unemployment rates,” he said.

He added that the government’s management of the petroleum sector had abdicated its responsibility to protect the welfare of the people, further criticising the administration for its handling of the economy.

The NLC, in a separate statement signed by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, reiterated its stance that the government had promised not to increase fuel prices during negotiations on the minimum wage. The congress mocked the presidency’s denial, accusing the administration of selective memory and bad faith.

The TUC, through its president, Festus Osifo, called on the government to reverse the price hike and show greater concern for the wellbeing of the Nigerian people. The union expressed fear that the decision would lead to further hardship and social unrest.

Afenifere, meanwhile, condemned the government’s handling of the NNPCL and questioned the company’s decision to declare a profit while simultaneously being indebted to foreign suppliers. “It is a wrong time to impose policies that will exacerbate the already dire challenges faced by Nigerians,” the group said, calling for an immediate reversal of the price increase.

ActionAid Nigeria also condemned the petrol price hike, warning that the government’s reliance on revenue generation over welfare was pushing millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty. The organisation called for a comprehensive plan to protect vulnerable citizens and support small businesses, emphasising the need for transparency in fuel pricing.

Similarly, NACAT described the price hike as “a betrayal of trust,” accusing the government of inflicting unnecessary suffering on the masses. The organisation noted that the increase violated an agreement reached with labour unions and warned that further rises in the cost of living would only deepen the poverty crisis.

In a statement, the LCCI argued that while the removal of fuel subsidies was necessary, the manner in which it was implemented had caused significant harm to Nigerians and businesses. The chamber warned of a surge in inflation and job losses, as companies face rising operational costs and weakening consumer purchasing power.

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