By Our Correspondent
Association of Former Presidential Candidates of Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently reintroduce subsidy on petroleum products to cushion the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
The association said the continued increase and volatility in the price of petrol had worsened the cost of living, disrupted businesses and contributed significantly to the rising prices of food and other essential commodities.
Speaking on the development, the chairman of the association, Dr. Breakforth Onwubuya said the government must urgently intervene in the downstream petroleum sector by regulating pump prices and ensuring that ordinary Nigerians are not left at the mercy of independent marketers.
According to Dr. Onwubuya, petrol prices could rise from about N1,200 per litre to N1,300 and fluctuate further, leaving Nigerians uncertain about what they would pay from one day to another.
He argued that the situation was becoming unbearable, stressing that the government could not continue to increase its revenue while Nigerians struggle to survive the consequences of high fuel prices.
“We are already advocating that the Federal Government must reverse the fuel pump price. You can buy fuel today for N1,200, tomorrow N1,300 and next month it could be N1,300 or even higher. Independent marketers are just putting prices as they like.
“We are becoming a banana republic. The Federal Government must review the situation and put a fixed price on fuel. Nigerians are suffering because the high cost of fuel is affecting food prices, market women and virtually every aspect of the economy,” the association said.
Buttressing the point, Director General of the association, Dr. Moses Ayibowu maintained that the government should consider restoring subsidy, at least to a level that would make petroleum products affordable to the majority of Nigerians.
He said, “The Federal Government should return the subsidy. That is the only way Nigerians can survive. You cannot say you are making more money while citizens are dying and suffering.
“The government has made over N20 trillion in the last one year. If such revenue is being generated, put it on the road and use it to alleviate the suffering of the citizens. It does not make sense for government to continue making money while Nigerians are dying.”
The group therefore demanded the immediate restoration of fuel subsidy, describing it as an emergency measure needed to prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of Nigerians.
2027 Election May Be Bloody Without Security Measures
Beyond the economy, the Association of Former Presidential Candidates also raised concerns over the state of internal security ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that failure to address insecurity could trigger widespread electoral violence.
One of the leaders of the association, His Excellency, Robinson Akpua urged the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen security measures before, during and after the elections.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work closely with security agencies to prevent electoral violence across the country.
“Internal security must be properly addressed. If it is not properly addressed, the 2027 election will be bloody.
“Look at what happened in Osun, as I said earlier. INEC is not a security agency, but INEC has to work with security agencies to ensure that electoral violence is tackled across the country,” it said.
‘We Are Pro-Masses, Not Pro or Anti-Government’
The association explained that its platform was established to provide constructive scrutiny of governance, promote peace and unity, and contribute to Nigeria’s development.
It stressed that its members were neither opposed to nor in support of government for political reasons, but would continue to speak whenever policies negatively affected Nigerians.
“This platform is to checkmate the excesses of governance and promote peace, unity and development of our country.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch our country go into disarray. We are not anti-government and we are not pro-government. We are not biased. We are pro-masses.
“Whatever we say is in the interest of Nigerians. We want a better country, better leadership and a better society. We want the government to listen to the people and address issues and development challenges that directly affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”
The association further clarified that its membership cuts across former presidential candidates who contested Nigeria’s highest political office under different political parties since 1999.
It said the platform provides an avenue for former presidential candidates, regardless of their political affiliations, to contribute their experience and perspectives to national issues and advocate policies capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians.
