The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has made a significant appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to consult former President Goodluck Jonathan regarding the ongoing economic crisis in Nigeria.
This appeal follows recent protests led by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Organized Private Sector, who demanded a reversal of the newly implemented fuel pricing structure. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) increased petrol prices to N1,030 per litre in Abuja, up from N897, and in Lagos, it rose from N868 to N998 per litre. This startling price hike, occurring twice within a month, represents an increase of approximately 14.8% or N133, inciting public outrage across the nation.
During a recent interview, Dipo Olaoyoku, the National Secretary of the NNPP, expressed concerns over the current administration’s handling of Nigeria’s economic challenges. He remarked that the government appears to lack innovative solutions to address the crises facing the nation. “This present government has no solutions to the problems of this country,” he stated. Olaoyoku criticized the administration for hastily removing fuel subsidies without properly assessing their implications and for floating the naira during a time of heavy reliance on imported fuel.
He lamented the lack of expertise present within the current government, expressing pity for the Nigerian populace as they navigate the economic turmoil that has followed the previous administration. Olaoyoku emphasized that, instead of appointing skilled technocrats, the President has appointed political allies, which he believes does not bode well for the nation’s future.
He insisted that President Tinubu should seek counsel from experienced political figures like Jonathan, suggesting that Jonathan’s prior governance enabled the naira to maintain a stable exchange rate of N200 to the dollar before the ruling party came to power.
In response, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed Olaoyoku’s comments, labeling him as an armchair analyst speaking from a place of ignorance. Bala Ibrahim, the National Publicity Director of the APC, suggested that if the NNPP indeed had viable solutions, it would have been in power. He added that the NNPP should encourage its governor in Kano to raise such topics at upcoming National Council of State meetings, where Jonathan is also present, to foster constructive dialogue on national issues.
As the discussions unfold, the economic situation in Nigeria remains a central concern for many citizens, prompting calls for collaborative efforts to find a path toward relief and recovery amidst rising fuel prices and economic challenges.
