The Senior Special Assistant on Mass Mobilization to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Vincent Odogbor, has added his voice to the growing chorus of Nigerians calling on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the recent fuel price hike.
Odogbor argues that the policy has disproportionately affected rural and riverine communities, exacerbating their already dire economic situation.
In a statement, Odogbor painted a grim picture of the devastating impact of the fuel price hike on Nigerian businesses and workers.
He noted that the increased cost of running businesses has led to widespread layoffs and closures, further entrenching poverty and hardship.
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Odogbor’s statement also contained a scathing critique of the government’s economic policies, which he described as “mysterious” and “alarming”.
He argued that the fuel price hike has had a ripple effect, causing prices of essential goods and services to skyrocket without a corresponding increase in incomes.
The aide urged Tinubu to reconsider his stance on the fuel price hike, emphasizing that policies that fail to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians are inherently flawed.
He reminded the President of his campaign promise of “RENEWED HOPE” and called on him to reverse and review the fuel price to alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians. The statement reads:
“Mysterious because just that singular economic policy has spiked every other sector to an alarming stage. Without notice or review in incomes of Nigerians, the cost of virtually everything has gone astronomicallly high.
“I quite understand your iron cast passion of not going back on this journey in which you are shoving this harsh decision on us, be rest assured that no matter how good your intentions of economic policies, if it does not make the life of the masses better, it’s a bad policy.
“Nigerians were doing fine until the former President PMB change era greeted us with policies that saw the economy nosedived into an epileptic state, for eight years the Nigerian masses groped as they hoped for a better life.
“When you unveiled your intention to context for the office of president , you promised Nigerians a RENEWED HOPE.
“However, the obvious reality for millions of Nigerians today, is that the prices of everything has gone up, ranging from food items, medicals, school fees, transportation and even paying for services, such as maintenance and other utilities.
“Due to the Hike in fuel price, Nigerians are finding it very difficult to go through the days bills, leaving a lot of families both in urban and rural areas frustrated, depressed and stranded in abject poverty.
“Mr President, the people suffering from this fuel Sting cuts across the social ladder, if effects Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, students , innocent children , poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
“ I join other concerned Nigerians to urge you to reverse and review the price of PMS to 300- 400 Naira, so that Nigeria’s workforce can be adequately mobilized to prosperity and economic stability amongst comity of nations.