Julius Okorie
Nigerians are not in the mood for smiles let alone laughter as they grapple with the realities of another increase in pump price of fuel, the fourth in the series beginning from the infamous “fuel subsidy is gone” declaration during the swearing of this administration on May 29, 2023.
The hike has turned price of commodities, transportation and basic services which Nigerians deal with on day to day basis on its head.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe resultant effect is bottled anger and frustration in most Nigerians that explodes like a keg of gun powder once opportunity is provided for them to bare their minds on teething issues.
One of such opportunities presented itself on Friday morning during a review of headlines on Lagos based Mainland FM.
Two headlines that appeared contentious among respondents and contributors to the programme was that made by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and that of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The First Lady had risen in defence of her husband insisting that “the current hardship including the increase in hike of fuel was not caused by the President” who is on the verge of completing two years in office.
Contributors to the programme however took exception to that reminding the first lady that the President claimed to have solution when he canvassed for votes and made promises, noting that all his policies have become the opposite of the promises made.
If the President according to them has presented himself as capable of solving the problem when he campaigned to the electorates, his job would be to “Find solution irrespective of who caused the problem. “He is expected to make the life of Nigerians better not bitter”
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The Senate President Godswill Akpabio was not spared after he said concerning the fuel hike, “The Senate will intervene if the need arises”
The submission which was ascribed to the Senate President as reported by some of the newspapers received an ‘Oh My God ‘lamentation from some of the respondents who fired back
“So the need has not arisen? Adding when will the need arise? The Senate President in the said quotation compounded the matter when he said he has not assessed the situation and further said it was “not fuel increase but deregulation”.
Most respondents were so infuriated by the submission describing it as the height of insensitivity at a time when Nigerians are struggling to breath.
Two group of respondents however chose to be indifference to the submissions of the first lady and the Senate President with one urging Nigerians to stop sounding like broken records and enjoy the renewed hope they forced on themselves while the other urged Nigerians to be ready to buy fuel at N2,000 per litre in December.
Those who have gotten used to rice palliative were however advised to await for another rice palliative as soon as the President returns from his working leave.
Although official price of fuel has now been put at N1,000 per litre following the latest increase in pump price, most filling stations are selling at N1,100, N1,200 and N1,300 respectively in most parts of Lagos.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
