EKITI State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has condemned the decision of the Federal Government to increase the price of petrol from N86.50 to N145.
He described it as insensitive and a demonstration of the level of hatred the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress government had for Nigerians.
The governor, who said the over 70 per cent price hike was another vindication of his predictions on what to expect in 2016, added that it was now clear that the scarcity of petrol being experienced in the last three months was deliberately orchestrated by the Federal Government to pave way for the already conceived increment.
Fayose was quoted in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, as saying, “Nigerians are now left at the mercy of political liars who took over power by deception and are governing by deceit.”
He said he was waiting for the reaction of those who took to the streets to protest when fuel subsidy was removed by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2012, urging labour unions in the country to stand by their members always, regardless of the political party in government.
He said; “When they were seeking votes from Nigerians, they promised to reduce petrol pump price from N87 to N45 per litre, they promised to create three million jobs per year, they said $1 will be equal to N1 and above all, they promised to pay unemployed youths N5, 000 stipends and provide one meal a day to pupils nationwide.
“Instead of fulfilling their promises, they have increased petrol pump price to N145 per litre, increased electricity tariffs, retrenched thousands of workers and imposed untold hardships on Nigerians.
“As they did in 2012, if labour leaders do not also stand up for the people at this time, posterity will not forgive them.”
