The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), a prominent Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently announce a reversal of the current fuel pump price.
This appeal is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the planned hunger protest set to take place from August 1 to 10.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, OPC President Otunba Afolabi highlighted several key areas for the government to address.
He stressed the necessity of reducing electricity tariffs and the prices of essential food items as gestures of goodwill from the administration.
Afolabi also urged President Tinubu to issue an Executive Order to open all borders in the South-West and South-South regions to facilitate the rapid inflow of goods, thereby reducing food prices.
Afolabi emphasized the importance of revitalizing Nigeria's domestic refineries to alleviate the issues of inadequate and expensive petroleum products.
He questioned the government’s prolonged inability to maintain its refineries, contrasting it with the success of Aliko Dangote, who built a refinery in under a decade.
“If one man, Aliko Dangote, can build a refinery in less than 10 years, how can ordinary maintenance of four full-fledged and functional refineries become an impossible task since 1999 when civilians took over power? What is the mystery?” Afolabi asked.
He called for the identification, exposure, and apprehension of those sabotaging the nation's interests, asserting that Nigeria's resources belong to all its citizens.
Additionally, Afolabi called for a reduction in the cost of governance. He criticized the disparity between the austere measures urged upon the citizens and the opulent lifestyles of politicians funded by public money.
“Government must cut the cost of governance. These are austere times and the leader must also adopt austerity measures,” he stated.
The OPC also urged law enforcement to ensure the planned protest is not hijacked by hoodlums who might use it as an opportunity for looting and violence.
Afolabi drew parallels with the recent unrest in Kenya, warning against a similar descent into chaos.
“We call for dialogue between the government and leaders of the August protest, planned to highlight economic hardships Nigerians currently suffer in the face of reforms by the regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There must be an immediate reversal of increased electricity tariffs and a reduction of food and fuel prices as a goodwill gesture,” he said.
“A hungry man is an angry man. The government must crash the price of food, electricity, and fuel for peace to reign and for people to know that the government cares about their welfare,” Afolabi concluded.
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