Tinubu’s Ally, Joe Igbokwe, Faces Backlash for Complaining About N20k Fuel

Joe Igbokwe, a Nigerian politician and engineer who is currently serving as Special Adviser for Drainage & Water Resources to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, faced a barrage of criticism on social media on Saturday after he complained about buying N20,000 worth of fuel in his car.

Igbokwe, who is also the former Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), posted a picture of his car dashboard showing the amount of fuel he bought on his Facebook page, with the caption: “I bought N20k fuel for my 4 wheel drive and the gauge did not get to half tank. I thought the petrol attendant cheated me, I was furious angry. I went to another station and it is the same. I have now disciplined myself. It is not anywhere that I go to now.”

The post, which has since been deleted, sparked outrage among many Nigerians who accused him of being insensitive and hypocritical, considering that he is a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu and his administration, which has been blamed for the rising cost of living in the country after removing fuel subsidy in May 2023.

Nigeria’s petroleum industry regulators and operators have formally effected a subsidy withdrawal, sending retail prices up by about 170 per cent to N500 per litre from the official rate of N185 per litre. The fuel increased to about N520 per litre across the country after President Bola Tinubu declared subsidy “gone” in his inaugural speech on May 29

Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and convener of Concerned Nigerians group, called Igbokwe a clown after he complained about buying N20k fuel.

Some of the comments on Igbokwe’s post read:

“Poverty and suffering do not understand which party anyone belongs”

“You are part of the problem. You have been defending this clueless government that has brought untold hardship to Nigerians. You have no shame.”

“You bought N20k fuel and you are complaining? How many Nigerians can afford to buy N20k fuel in this economy? How many Nigerians even have cars? You are mocking us with your privilege.”

“You are a disgrace to your people. You sold your conscience for a plate of porridge. You have betrayed the trust of the masses. You will reap what you sow.”

“I love Nigeria problems because it doesn’t know and respect tribe, religion and political affiliations. They’ve not seen anything. We’re all victim”.

“Joe Igbokwe , one of the disciples of this town hall meeting. One month into the town hall , the peanut given to him , can no longer fuel his car comfortably, This is “shege ” , “banza” is on its way coming”

“He should use the blue rail in lagos. Or maybe show his APC membership card in filling stations so he can buy fuel at 189 naira per liter”

“If he doesn’t drive his car he will still pay equivalent to what he uses to buy the fuel on Public transport without comfort and more on Uber. Driving car now is not for luxury but for convenience. The best is to reduce places visited as he rightly said”.

“A day will come when you need to be somewhere important but you can’t afford to buy then you will know election has consequences.. watch out”

“I never believed that i will buy fuel in Nigeria 550, to be sincere fuel should be sold 50 a litre in this country but just look at where politicians has landed us”

Igbokwe has not responded to the backlash as of the time of writing this report. He is known for his controversial statements and staunch defence of President Bola Tinubu and his policies.

He was born in Uruagu Nnewi in Anambra State on April 30 1956. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and worked as an accountant in various companies in Nigeria and the United States before joining politics.

He was appointed as the pioneer General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance & Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) in 2006 by then Governor Bola Tinubu and later became the Chairman of Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority in 2015. He was appointed as Special Adviser for Drainage & Water Resources by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2019.

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