Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye has urged the National Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun, to ask President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal government to reverse the recently announced increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol.
The Federal Government yesterday, increased pump price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 per litre. Melaye, who took to his Facebook page on Thursday night, to express his angst, threatened that if after seven days (from Monday next week) there is no reversal, he will mobilize Nigerians from all walks of life for the mother of all protest. Melaye said: “My sincere advise is for the National Chairman of our party to suggest that the federal government immediately reverse the announced increase in the pump price of PMS. If after seven days from Monday, there is no reversal, I will mobilize Nigerians from all walks of life for the mother of all protest.
“This is not what we promised Nigerians. The time is not right and the negative effects will be unbearable. A word is enough for the wise.”
Recall that to douse tension in the country, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, defended the increment in pump price, saying it was the only way out of the exorbitant prices of N150 to N250 Nigerians were subjected to at many filling stations across the country.
Also recall that Senator Melaye was one of the most vociferous voices which kicked against the removal of petrol subsidy by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012. Then, Jonathan increased the pump price of petrol from N65 to N141 per litre.
Following massive protests across the country, ex-President Jonathan reduced the pump price to N97 per litre.
Towards the twilight of his administration, last year, Jonathan further reduced pump price to N87 per litre. It was incumbent President Buhari that reduced pump price from N87 to N86.50 per litre. But in a dramatic u-turn, the President increased pump price yesterday to N145 per litre.
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