Civil Society Coalition Threatens Nationwide Protests Over Potential Fuel Price Hike

A collective of Nigerian civil society groups has threatened to rally citizens for nationwide protests if the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) proceeds with its plans to inflate the fuel pump price to N700 per litre. The coalition’s call for action comes in response to IPMAN’s intended price hike from the government-approved N538 per litre.

In a statement issued on Friday, the civil society coalition expressed its outrage over what it termed as a deliberate act of “mischief and sabotage”. The planned increase comes at a time when Nigerians are grappling with the impact of a recent fuel price increment on May 29, 2023.

The coalition warned that fuel stations that defy the government-approved price would face picketing actions. The statement was jointly issued by Dr Basil Yelwa Musa, the coalition’s convener, co-convener Malam Haruna Maigida, Ayo Temi Adebayo, among other members.

The group pledged to mobilise members and stakeholders across all 36 states of Nigeria to participate in a protest starting Monday, July 3, 2023. The coalition includes a diverse array of organisations such as the Oil and Gas Transparency and Advocacy Group, Civil Society Coalition for Economic Development, Centre for Citizens Rights, Centre for Good Governance Advocacy, and Action Against Corruption in Nigeria.

In their statement, the coalition called upon the government to rein in IPMAN, highlighting the hardship already caused by the recently adjusted fuel pump price and the absence of mitigating measures. They assert that IPMAN lacks the legal authority to alter fuel pump prices and vow to resist any such attempts.

The statement read in part, “If government fails to caution IPMAN, we see it as a deliberate collusion to drive Nigerians into unmitigated difficulties… We will mobilise Nigerians for a street protest.”

Referencing the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, the coalition warned that IPMAN’s decision to adjust the fuel pump price would trigger protests. They argue that the proposed increase would constitute an over 451% hike compared to prices at the inception of Tinubu’s administration.

The coalition also accused IPMAN of causing the drastic drop in daily petrol consumption from 66 million litres to 40 million after the subsidy removal, urging the association to prepare for changes, as irregular practices in the downstream sector will no longer be tolerated.