Fuel price increase: CUPP blow hot, threatens mass protest

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has reacted to Wednesday’s fuel pump price increament by the Petroleum and Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of NNPC, describing the “increase as wicked, insensitive and a plot to kill more Nigerians with suffering.

The major body of opposition parties said, it will commence a “reach out and mobilisation of civil society organisations and organised groups for mass civil action”, in the face of fuel price hike.

In a statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and sent to CAPITAL POST on Wednesday, the group pointed out that it was shocked at the increase of fuel by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, adding that Nigerians are at the receiving end.

The statement reads: “The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has received with shock and disbelief, the decision of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to approve astronomical increase in fuel price at this time that Nigerians are already suffocating under the weight of numerous taxes.

“Opposition political parties note that this increase is coming barely one day after the increase in electricity tariff by this same government.

“We therefore reject this senseless, heartless, insensitive and wicked increase in its entirety.

“The CUPP holds the view that this latest poison from the chalice of the All Progressives Congress’ government is meant to kill more Nigerians with suffering contrary to the oath Buhari swore to protect them.

“We are therefore calling on this government to rescind this unpopular decision with immediate effect.

“Failure to do this, the CUPP will be taking a legal action to force Fthis government to do so.

“Apart from the legal option, we shall also begin to reach out with a view to mobilising civil society organisations and organised groups for mass action.

“The Opposition Coalition Human Mobilisation head, Barr.Kenneth Udeze will in the days ahead start meeting with organised groups to mobilise them to be on same page with the Opposition

“We urge Nigerians to be ready to take active part in the proposed mass civil action in case the Federal Government, in its usual style, turns a deaf ear to our legitimate and patriotic call”, the statement concluded.