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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu-led government to reverse the current increase in petrol prices immediately.
Obi, who made this call in a post shared via his verified X handle on Saturday, condemned the recent increase in petrol prices.
RocketparrotNews had earlier reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced a new petrol price of ₦1,030 per litre, up from ₦897.
Recall that the new increase marks the second petrol price hike in a month, following a rise from ₦615 to ₦897 in September.
Reacting to the sudden increase, the economic expert voiced his disapproval, describing the sudden increase as “unfortunate and insensitive.”
In his statement, Obi urged Tinubu, who also serves as the Minister of Petroleum, to provide a full explanation and consider alternative policies.
He highlighted the adverse economic impact of the fuel price surge on Nigerians already grappling with difficult conditions.
Obi also questioned the oversight role of the NNPCL and its regulatory bodies, stating, “We are told that the NNPCL is now a limited liability company, regulated by agencies such as the NUPRC and NMDPRA, yet there seems to be growing confusion about the roles and responsibilities of the NNPCL and these regulating bodies.”
He called on Tinubu to act in the best interest of Nigerians before concluding his working vacation.
Obi emphasised that this price hike only worsened the already challenging economic conditions and urged the government to consider more compassionate policies.
The fuel price increase has sparked widespread concerns across the country, with many calling for immediate intervention to alleviate the economic burden on citizens.
