By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a surge of public outrage, Nigerians are voicing their frustrations regarding President Bola Tinubu’s recent petrol price hike, labeling him ‘Pharaoh’ and the ‘Emir of Hardship.’ On Wednesday, the NNPC raised petrol prices to an alarming N1030, triggering widespread discontent.
Social media users flocked to the comments section of Peoples Gazette’s coverage of the fuel increase, venting their anger toward the president. An X user, @FitRich6, shared an image of Tinubu, suggesting, “The increment continues until Nigerians realize and call him Sheikh T-Pain instead of T-Pain… Or do you think it’s easy to be a Sheikh reciting this in a unique way?”
Another user, @Dande_abdulaziz, criticized Tinubu’s performance, stating, “To be sincere, T-Pain is a disaster. He couldn’t fulfill any of the promises he made during his campaigns, subjecting citizens to hardship while labeling it economic reform.”
Comments flooded in, with @iam_paulash stating, “T.Pain is carrying out his responsibility, which is to cause you pain,” and @ogbuka noting, “Fuel still sells for ₦52 in Libya, but let’s keep tolerating T-Pain’s anti-people impunity.”
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar chimed in on Thursday, echoing the sentiment and calling attention to Tinubu’s apparent indifference to the struggles of the populace, saying, “It is even more worrying that T-pain is undisturbed by the hardship in the country.”
The president’s critics drew historical comparisons, likening their struggles to the suffering of the Israelites under the Egyptian Pharaoh. User @MrJohnDir remarked, “Pharaoh still better pass @officialABAT. Even during the Nigerian civil war, our parents didn’t go through this hard time.” Meanwhile, @Joshua19726468 quipped, “Pharaoh still dey learn from Nigerian politicians.”
Adding a humorous touch, @Jeduthun_22 posted a photo of Tinubu in a turban marked ‘Emir of Hardship,’ while @Adaobi_ij lamented about the exorbitant cost of filling a tank for #80,600, praying for relief for those who voted against Tinubu in these trying times.
Earlier this week, The Gazette reported that President Tinubu was frustrated by Nigerians dubbing him ‘TPain,’ a nickname reflecting the widespread pain inflicted by his administration over the past 16 months