The South East Coalition for Good Governance (SECG) has strongly condemned the recent surge in fuel prices by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), expressing profound frustration over the escalating cost of petrol in Nigeria.
On Wednesday, NNPCL announced that petrol would now be sold at ₦1,030 per liter, marking the third consecutive increase within just three months.
Also, the company revealed it would no longer serve as the sole buyer of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery, allowing independent marketers to enter the market.
In a statement issued in Enugu and signed by SECG’s Publicity Secretary, Jerry Ekezie, the group called the latest hike an unacceptable assault on the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
“This is not acceptable. “The constant hike in fuel prices is a deliberate tactic to further impoverish Nigerians and make life unbearable for them. It is baffling that, despite producing PMS locally, the price continues to soar, even exceeding the cost of importing fuel.”the statement declared.
SECG accused the government of neglecting the people’s suffering:
“Nigerians are being taken for granted, and this is why the government shows no regard for the harsh impact of the rising cost of living.”the statement read.
SECG highlighted that skyrocketing inflation, a volatile exchange rate, and the unbearable cost of living—two years into Bola Tinubu’s administration—signal that there is no solution in sight for the economic woes of Nigerians.
“We don’t care anymore what the price of PMS is. NNPCL can even increase it to ₦50,000 per liter if they wish. However, they must realize that the resilience of Nigerians could one day give way to a reaction that may not be pleasant.”
SECG also directed its criticism toward President Bola Tinubu’s administration, holding it accountable for the worsening economic hardship across the country.
“This continuous impoverishment of Nigerians is, to say the least, shocking and unbelievable. It’s now apparent that there is a systemic policy aimed at keeping Nigerians in poverty,” the statement concluded.