News
Hunger: Protest In Abuja Over Fuel Crisis, Inflation
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerians gathered in Abuja on Monday, launching a large-scale protest over escalating fuel costs, chronic fuel shortages, and mounting economic hardship.
Led by Abdullahi Bilal of the (Two Million Man March Against Oil Scam Cabal) and Barrister Napoleon Otache and Olayemi Isaac from Citizens and Economic Freedom Rights Activists in Nigeria (CEFRAN), the demonstrators demanded immediate action to address what they described as failed leadership in managing the country’s oil sector.
Central to the protests were grievances over skyrocketing fuel prices and the never-ending queues, which they argued have driven inflation and plunged millions of Nigerians into poverty.
The demonstrators condemned the current fuel subsidy regime, claiming it has only served to enrich a select few while leaving the majority struggling with high prices.
They called for full deregulation in the oil sector to ensure transparency, competition, and fairer fuel pricing.
Protesters also decried the importation of adulterated fuel, which they said is a corrupt practice that harms citizens by damaging vehicles and businesses.
They demanded an immediate halt to these imports and accountability for those responsible, questioning how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite quality control assurances.
Additionally, the group criticized the unfulfilled promise of the Dangote Refinery to resolve Nigeria’s fuel crisis, expressing frustration over the billions of dollars spent on refinery development and refurbishing existing facilities.
They argued that despite these investments, fuel shortages persist, leaving Nigeria reliant on costly imports even as an oil-producing nation.
Highlighting the impact of the fuel crisis on the economy, protesters cited inflation surpassing 24% and a 200% rise in fuel prices, factors they say are deepening poverty across the country.
They urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene by overhauling leadership in the oil sector, enforcing greater accountability, and putting citizens’ needs first. The protesters vowed to continue mobilizing until their demands for reform and transparency are met.
Speaking to journalists during the mass demonstration, Abdullahi Bilal stated, “The Two Million Man March stands as a united voice for every citizen who has been betrayed by a system that continues to enrich a few at the expense of many.
“Today, we call for the immediate resignation of the current leadership in the country’s oil sector. Their management has failed Nigerians.
Under their watch, we have seen fuel prices skyrocket without consultation or consideration of the devastating impact on the people. We have endured fuel scarcity while substandard, adulterated fuel is imported, causing further hardship.
“We demand the complete removal of the fraudulent fuel subsidy regime that has only served to enrich a select few. Full deregulation is necessary to introduce transparency, competition, and fairness to our oil sector.
We also demand an end to the importation of adulterated fuel into Nigeria. This harmful practice must stop immediately, and those responsible must be held accountable for the damage caused to our vehicles, businesses, and livelihoods.
Nigerians have suffered long enough, wasting hours and days queuing for fuel. We demand a sustainable solution to the fuel scarcity crisis—no more excuses, no more delays. We deserve better.
“We also want to highlight the failure of the much-anticipated refinery. Nigerians were promised that this would solve our fuel crisis, but it has failed to deliver.
“This mismanagement has led to inflation reaching a shocking 24.5% as of November 2024. Fuel prices have increased by over 200%, plunging millions of Nigerians into deeper poverty.
To the government, we say: enough is enough. Nigerians will not stand by while the oil cabal continues to thrive at the expense of our nation’s welfare. We demand accountability, and we demand it now.”
On their part, Barrister Napoleon Otache and Olayemi Isaac, insisted: “This act of economic sabotage has led to endless fuel queues, skyrocketing fuel prices, and unprecedented disruptions in the daily lives of Nigerians.
“We demand an immediate end to fuel queues, transparency, and accountability from all involved parties. We want to know how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite assurances of quality control.”
News
Reps Quiz Federal Polytechnics Damaturu, Mubi, Monguno Over Infractions
By Gloria Ikibah
News
Obasanjo narrates how he escaped becoming drug addict
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he almost became a drug addict.
He spoke in Abeokuta over the weekend at the second edition of ‘Fly Above The High’ anti-drug campaign conference organised by the Recovery Advocacy Network.
Obasanjo stated that smoking during his youthful age led to chronic coughing and almost became an addiction.
The former President, while lamenting the increase in drug abuse among Nigerians and other West Africans, urged Nigerian students and young people to refrain from abusing psychoactive drugs, saying that they ruin life rather than enhance it.
“If I had persisted, I could have become addicted. Once you get involved, it is difficult to get out.
“There’s nothing drug can do for you except destruction.
“We found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way. That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa,” Obasanjo said.
He cautioned against stigmatization and urged individuals who are already addicted to psychoactive drugs to get help.
News
We saved $20bn after Petrol Subsidy Removal and FX Rate Reforms, Says Finance Minister
Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says Nigeria has saved $20 billion from petrol subsidy removal and market-based pricing of the foreign exchange rate.
Edun spoke at a ceremony recently held to mark the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, head of civil service of the federation, in Abuja.
“An amount of five per cent of GDP is what those two subsidies were costing when there was a subsidy on PMS; when there was petroleum product generally for a long time and when there was a subsidy of foreign exchange. Between them, they were costing five percent of GDP,” he said.
“If you say GDP was on average, let’s say $400 billion. We all know what five percent of that is – $20 billion of funds that could be going into infrastructure, health, social services, education.”
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