Civil society groups supported by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and workers, on Tuesday morning, staged a protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the recent fuel price hike.
The protesters expressed their displeasure at the Federal Government’s decision to increase the pump price of petrol as well as the upward review of the electricity tariff.
The protesters who began their procession at the Awolowo Junction area of Ibadan, carried placards with different inscriptions, and chanted anti-government songs, to pass the message of their disapproval to government’s action.
They condemned the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, calling the recent increment in the price of petrol and electricity tariff, as wickedness devoid of sound judgment.
The immediate past chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State, Andrew Emelieze, who joined in the protest, condemned government’s action.
He said both the electricity tariff and fuel price hike would further make life difficult for the masses.
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Also speaking on the protest, the NANS representative who is the Chairman, Joint Campus Committee of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Mayowa Opakunle, said they rejected the increases entirely.
“We are out on the streets to register our grievances and show our displeasure at the wicked policies and unjust treatment of Nigerians by the Federal Government.
“We say no to fuel price hike and electricity tariff increment at this period when many people have lost their jobs, many have not even been paid salaries for the past six months.
“Prices of food, other goods and services have continued to increase while salaries are either being slashed into half for so many while others don’t even get at all.
“But despite these hardships, the government has continued to increase prices of commodities. The consistent show of ineptitude and cluelessness on the part of the President and his cabinet is worrisome.”
