Bode George has called on President Tinubu to reduce the petrol price to N300 per litre from mid-December to the end of January to ease the festive season for Nigerians.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action in reducing the pump price of petrol to N300 per litre.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, George appealed to the president to implement the price cut from mid-December through to the end of January to allow Nigerians to enjoy the festive season.
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George, the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, stated that such a move would help bring relief to Nigerians during one of the most important times of the year.
He highlighted that December and January are universally recognised as significant months, impacting people regardless of their religion or beliefs.
“There are two months in any calendar year that are very important months. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, an atheist, or a traditionalist, it is common and it is all over the world,” George said, stressing the importance of the upcoming festive period.
The PDP chieftain argued that reducing the price of petrol to N300 per litre would not only alleviate financial pressure but also bring widespread joy to Nigerian families.
According to George, the government could absorb any financial losses resulting from the price cut, making this move financially feasible.
George further added that the initiative would send a strong message of goodwill across the nation. He pointed to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu’s recent N1 billion donation to a university as an example of how financial contributions could be mobilised to support this endeavour.
“If Madam First Lady could donate N1 billion to a university, she could also donate into the coffers to bear this cost,” George remarked, suggesting that the government could find creative ways to fund the price reduction without negatively impacting the economy.
He emphasised the positive impact it would have, especially during the holiday season, which he believes would bring happiness to people of all ethnic groups and religions in Nigeria.
With this proposal, George expressed confidence that the president has the capacity to take this bold step and give Nigerians something to smile about.
He argued that this small but impactful gesture could foster unity and joy across the country during the holidays, leading to a more festive atmosphere.
The call for a petrol price reduction comes at a time when there are growing concerns over the cost of fuel during the Christmas period.
Nigeria’s petroleum marketers have warned that the price of fuel could rise to as high as N900 or even N1000 per litre during the holiday season.
In separate interviews, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, and the Spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, disclosed that such a price increase could be expected, given the seasonal rise in demand for fuel.
With the festive season fast approaching, George’s call for a petrol price reduction has sparked a wider conversation about the government’s role in ensuring that Nigerians can afford the cost of living, especially during a time when the country is already grappling with economic challenges.
Source: Read more at freelanews.com
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
