Nigerian lawyer, Emmanuel Ominyi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BPAT) to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, describing the Federal Government’s proposed reduction to N1,350 for 30 days as inadequate amid worsening economic hardship.
Ominyi, in an appeal to the President, argued that the temporary price cut would offer little relief to millions of Nigerians struggling with the high cost of living.
He questioned whether the proposed reduction was sufficient, whether Nigerians had benefited from the petrol price increases of the past three years, and whether workers’ salaries had risen significantly enough to cushion the impact.
The lawyer also challenged the government to explain what would happen after the 30-day price reduction expires, calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the economy to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.
While acknowledging that the removal of petrol subsidy had helped prevent Nigeria from sliding into insolvency, Ominyi argued that the current high pump price was pushing many Nigerians towards financial ruin.
He maintained that Nigeria’s status as a major oil-producing country should translate into affordable energy for its citizens, rather than leaving them unable to afford basic necessities.
Citing Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Ominyi reminded the government that the welfare and security of citizens should remain its primary responsibility.
He also dismissed arguments that high domestic petrol prices were necessary to prevent smuggling to neighbouring African countries, insisting that Nigerians should not bear the brunt of a problem they did not create.
Ominyi further questioned the effectiveness of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and organised labour in defending citizens against economic hardship, urging the legislature to do more to hold the government accountable.
“Nigeria is for us to plough and not to plunder,” he declared, appealing to Tinubu to reconsider the policy and implement a substantial reduction in petrol prices.
He expressed hope that reducing the price to N500 per litre would provide meaningful relief to Nigerians and improve theiatr economic well-being.
