ADC Urges FG to Cap Petrol Price Amid Middle East Crisis
By John Okezie
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce a temporary cap on the price of petrol to prevent further increases triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The opposition party said rising fuel prices were worsening the cost-of-living crisis for millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party also urged the government to provide targeted palliatives for low-income citizens who are most affected by the surge in fuel costs.
According to the ADC, the volatility in global oil markets caused by tensions in the Middle East has contributed to the recent increase in petrol prices in Nigeria.
However, the party argued that external shocks should not be used to justify uncontrolled increases in fuel prices in an economy already struggling with the effects of subsidy removal by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Recent hikes in petrol prices reflect rising volatility in global oil markets driven in part by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. However, external shocks cannot justify allowing fuel prices to spiral without restraint in an already fragile economy”, the party said.
The ADC stressed that petrol remains a critical driver of Nigeria’s economy, influencing the cost of food, transportation and other essential goods and services.
“For everyday Nigerians, petrol determines the price of food, transportation and survival. When petrol rises, everything else rises with it,” the statement added.
The party also criticised the Federal Government’s plan to distribute 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas conversion kits, describing the initiative as inadequate compared to the country’s vehicle population.
According to the party, the proposed number represents less than one percent of the more than 11 million vehicles currently on Nigerian roads.
“A policy that touches only a fraction of vehicles cannot meaningfully address a national fuel crisis”, the party stated.
The ADC further pointed out that the number of CNG refuelling stations across the country remains limited, raising concerns about accessibility for motorists.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to adopt a more comprehensive energy strategy capable of shielding Nigerians from extreme fuel price shocks.
“Nigeria is an oil-producing country and it should not be a place where the cost of petrol repeatedly pushes millions of citizens deeper into hardship”, the party said.
The opposition party maintained that protecting the welfare of citizens should remain the primary responsibility of government, particularly in times of global economic uncertainty.
