THE move to increase the pump prices of petroleum products by the Federal Government has been roundly condemned by Nigerians.
Speaking on Friday in separate interviews and a statement by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), President Umaru Yar�Adua was told to reject the plot to foster more hardship on Nigerians through the increase in petroleum products prices.
Those who condemned the plan were the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP); pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; the All Nigeria Peoples Party; and eminent lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu.
The National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said it would be unfortunate if the Federal Government went ahead with the proposed increase.
Okechukwu said, �How can a government that makes billions from customs tariff, VAT and fuel be complaining of huge subsidies?
�There is no patriotic government on earth that does not subsidise one item or the other.�
It advised Yar�Adua to disregard the plan to increase fuel price in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the country.
The Director of Publicity of the ANPP, Mallam Ibrahim Modibo, speaking in a telephone interview with Saturday Tribune, said, �It is unfortunate that government, having been insensitive to the plights of downtrodden masses of this country, will resort to fuel increase three months after the last strike by the NLC.
�It also shows the callousness and arbitrariness on the part of the government.�
National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said in a telephone interview, �It is unfortunate that (President) Yar�Adua is going the Obasanjo�s way. There is no reason for it.�
Aturu said, �It�s wrong and callous. �It�s a great disappointment that government is trying to inflict punishment on Nigerians.
�I call on all Nigerians to oppose it. �They shoud not attempt to implement it. �We will give it a tough fight.�