Nigerians Lament Hardship As Tinubu Faces First Challenge In Office
Nigerians are facing a severe fuel crisis as long queues have returned to filling stations across the country, following President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy.
Tinubu, who was sworn in as the 16th president of Nigeria on Monday, had declared in his inaugural speech that fuel subsidy “is gone”, saying it was unsustainable and a drain on the nation’s resources.
However, his decision has sparked outrage and panic among Nigerians, who have been struggling to cope with the skyrocketing pump price of petrol and the scarcity of the product.
In some states, such as Ebonyi, Ekiti and Delta, petrol is being sold for as high as N1,200 per litre, far above the official price of N230 per litre.
Many commuters have been stranded as transport fares have also increased. Some residents have resorted to panic buying and hoarding of petrol in jerry cans.
Some Nigerians have blamed Tinubu for the fuel crisis, saying he did not consult widely before taking the drastic measure. They also accused him of being insensitive to the plight of the masses.
Others have expressed support for Tinubu’s decision, saying it was a bold and necessary step to reform the oil sector and curb corruption.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned Tinubu to reverse his decision or face mass protests and industrial action from workers and civil society groups.
The spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission was monitoring the situation and would clamp down on any illegal activities such as hoarding and profiteering by marketers.
He also urged Nigerians to report any cases of extortion or bribery by EFCC officials or other law enforcement agents.
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