The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to bury any idea of increasing the pump price of fuel which is already N145 per litre.
The PDP, in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said its position was predicated on its “unwavering stand” as a party committed to the welfare of Nigerians.
The party said any increase in fuel price would result in upsurge in the cost of goods and services and “worsen the biting hardship” being faced by Nigerians.
“The PDP firmly holds that, at a time like this, rather than musing an increase in the price of such an essential commodity, a responsive leadership ought to be engaging stakeholders and seeking ways to achieve a reduction in the interest of the people.
“Our party insists that the price comparison being contemplated by the APC-controlled Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to warrant an increase, is untenable and further demonstrates that the APC is a party of selfish, unfeeling and insensitive individuals, who relish in inflicting pain and anguish on Nigerians for their selfish desires.
“Moreover, in arguing that petrol price is cheap in Nigeria without also comparing our market and production variables as well as social and economic infrastructure, with those obtainable in other countries, the APC-controlled NNPC is trying to play on the intelligence of Nigerians to pave way for further fleecing of our citizens.
“Such anti-people position can only come from leaders who do not have the mandate of the people and as such think that they are not answerable or accountable to the citizenry.
“This is the same APC, which, in 2015, promised to reduce fuel pump price, only for it to jerk it up from N87 per litre, stabilized by the PDP, to an exorbitant N145, from which it now seeks a further increase.
“Moreover, the APC-led federal government has no justification whatsoever to contemplate any increase in pump price of fuel, when President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to recover the N9 trillion ($25 billion) oil money stolen under his watch, through sleazy contracts, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo.
“President Buhari had also failed to recover the N1.1 trillion worth of crude oil allegedly stolen, using 18 unregistered companies, reportedly linked to APC interests.
“It is therefore unacceptable that rather than recovering the over N10trillion stolen oil money and channelling same to our domestic energy needs, the APC-led federal government is seeking to shift the burden of the humongous corruption in the NNPC, as confirmed by the new Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, on our already deprived and impoverished compatriots.
“It is saddening that at a time Nigerians should have been enjoying the benefits of Atiku Abubakar’s economic recovery plan, they are still being faced with apprehensions of more economic hardship under the hypocritical and unfeeling APC,” the PDP said.
