Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP, has condemned the government’s decision to increase the price of fuel to N617 per liter.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba on Wednesday said the increase is “extortionate” and “provocative” and that it will worsen the already “suffocating economic situation” in the country.
The PDP also dismissed the government’s argument that the increase is necessary due to market forces, saying that Nigeria’s economic potentials and prospects mean that fuel should not sell for more than N150 per liter.
The party’s statement comes as the government faces increasing criticism for its handling of the economy. The value of the naira has been plummeting, businesses and production have been shutting down, and millions of families are struggling to make ends meet.
The PDP said the government’s policies are “insensitive” and “clueless” and that they are running Nigeria’s economy “aground.”
The party called on the government to reverse the fuel price increase and to take steps to address the economic crisis.
Africa Eye News’ assessment:
The PDP’s statement is a strong condemnation of the government’s economic policies. The party’s arguments are based on the fact that the increase in fuel prices will have a devastating impact on ordinary Nigerians, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
The government has defended the increase, saying that it is necessary to remove subsidies and to allow market forces to determine the price of fuel. However, the PDP’s statement suggests that the government’s policies are not in the best interests of ordinary Nigerians.
Africa Eye News will continue to monitor the situation and to report on the impact of the fuel price increase on Nigerians.
