Garba Shehu, spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari, has reacted to the increase in petrol price, saying the product sold at a higher rate when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power.
Writing via his Twitter handle on Tuesday, the presidential spokesman said petrol sold for as much as N600 per litre under PDP.
The federal government through the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) recently increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N138.62 to N151.56 per litre.
Following the increment, petrol marketers raised the price of the product from N148 to between N158 and N162 per litre.
This happened days after electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country began the implementation of the new cost-reflective electricity tariff.
The hike was condemned by many Nigerians and groups. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) had said the government did nothing to help citizens cope with the devastating economic impact of the pandemic.
The PDP, on its part, described the increment as “callous, cruel and punishing“, and demanded that it should be reversed to avert “a national crisis.”
But Shehu accused the main opposition party of deceit.
“Don’t allow the PDP to deceive you. Amidst acute shortages, they sold petrol at N600 per litre on Easter Sunday in 2013 (See Punch published on that day),” he tweeted alongside a newspaper publication.
Don't allow the PDP to deceive you. Amidst acute shortages, they sold petrol at N600 per litre on Easter Sunday in 2013 (See Punch published on that day). pic.twitter.com/W58V2ZwVy6
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) September 8, 2020
COVER YOUR HEAD IN SHAME’
The presidential aide, however, came under attack over the comment, with many accusing him of unjustly justifying the petrol price hike.
One user by the name Benson asked him to cover his head “in shame” for making such remarks.
“@GarShehu is this a way of justifying the increase in fuel pump price? Was the N600 official price?” he asked.
Ada King, another user, asked: “So what is your point exactly? This is why Nigeria can never ever get better because these so-called leaders would rather dwell in the past and continue to do nothing than make any positive difference.
“Since 2015 all you do is blame, blame & blame. Is that why you’re in Govt?”
https://twitter.com/real_adaking/status/1303428200270303235?s=21
Another user accused him of making such remarks because he gets such services as the supply of petrol for free.
“You all get all these on a platter and if you manage to buy some, it is still the nation’s money. You will surely not remain in power,” the user who tweeted via @chinaza_best wrote.
The reason why you can come here and post this trash is because, you don't buy fuel with your money neither do you pay light bills. You all get all these on a platter and if you manage to buy some, it is still the nation's money. You will surely not remain in power.
— Mr Best (@chinaza_best) September 8, 2020
Source: The Cable
