In a powerful and impassioned plea, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from further increasing the price of petrol. The appeal, which was broadcast through The Vanguard Newspaper’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter), highlights the deepening concerns within the region over the potential economic hardship that could arise from another hike in fuel costs.
Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba Elders, the YCE stressed that Nigerians, especially those in the South-West, are already grappling with unbearable economic conditions exacerbated by the previous subsidy removal and skyrocketing living expenses. The elders cautioned that another increase in petrol prices would only worsen the current economic strain, leading to heightened suffering among the populace.
They urged Tinubu to exercise caution and empathy in his economic policies, noting that while the administration’s reforms aim to stabilize the economy, the immediate impact on the citizens has been harsh and punitive. The YCE further reminded the President of the social contract he holds with Nigerians and called for measures that would alleviate, rather than aggravate, the nation’s growing hardship.
With inflation hitting record levels and the cost of transportation, food, and essential goods skyrocketing, the Yoruba Elders argued that another fuel price hike would be detrimental not just to the economy but to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, who continue to bear the brunt of economic reforms.
The plea echoes growing concerns from various corners of the country, where citizens have voiced their frustrations over the rising cost of living and the perceived disconnect between government policies and the lived realities of everyday Nigerians.
As the Tinubu administration navigates the complexities of economic reform, the Yoruba Elders have made it clear that the well-being of Nigerians must remain at the forefront of policy considerations.
“Our people are suffering. We call on President Tinubu to reconsider any further fuel price hikes and instead focus on policies that can bring immediate relief to the masses,” the YCE statement concluded.
PIONEER NEWS 