Sequel to the latest decision by the President Muhammadu Buhari led government, to remove subsidy and increase the price of Petrol, two senators from the All Progressives Congress, APC, have threatened to mobilize Nigerians to protest against the policy.
Senator Shehu Sani, the Senator representing Kaduna central on Thursday, May 12, said the decision to increase the pump price of petroleum products is “insensitive and punitive”.
Senator Sani, who is the chairman Senate committee on Foreign and Domestic debt, said in a statement that the decision was “most unfortunate”.
“At a time when poor Nigerians are facing enormous economic hardships and are being asked to be more patient all the NNPC can do is to add to their suffering,” he said, referring to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
“It’s utterly irrational and illogical to further impoverish the people in order to achieve liberal self-serving liberal economic aspirations.
“It’s all evident that capitalist forces are holding the FG hostage and are blackmailing it to implement its inimical version of economic reforms. It makes no sense if everyone must perish in order to revamp the economy.
“Economic reforms are necessary but it must be done with a human face and human heart if it’s made in the interest of human beings.
“Outrageous increase in pump price is a social provocation. It’s possible to reform the oil sector without necessarily incinerating the country. We must not take the patience, the sacrifice and the good will of Nigerians for granted.
“I stand opposed to the increase in pump price and I call on PMB to weigh in on the NNPC to rescind the decision,” he insisted.
Also reacting, the Senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, who participated actively in the #OcuppyNigeria protests, which forced the government of former President, Goodluck Jonathan to shelve the idea of removing fuel subsidy, has accused the Buhari administration of going against the APC’s campaign promises.
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He asked John Oyegun, the National chairman of the APC, to advise the President to revoke the increment.
“My sincere advise is for the National Chairman of our party to suggest that the federal government immediately reverse the announced increase in the pump price of PMS,” he wrote on Facebook.
“If after seven days from Monday, there is no reversal, I will mobilise Nigerians from all walks of life for the mother of all protest. This is not what we promised Nigerians.
“The time is not right and the negative effects will be unbearable. A word is enough for the wise.”
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