Anger and rage bellowed through Twittersphere as Nigerians received news of the increment of the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol from N123:50 to N143:80 per litre.

The 16.4 percent increase in fuel price was announced on Wednesday by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). Whilst the PPPRA gave no specific reason, the increase is believed to be caused by the surge in the global cost of crude oil from $30 to $40 in the span of a month.  

Nigerians did not take the news kindly either way, with many penning their displeasure at the announcement. They accused the President Muhammadu Buhari of playing with the feelings of Nigerians.  

Buhari is playing ping pong with Nigerians

First, he said there was no subsidy, then the PPPRA (his pawn) removed N20 from fuel price

He told marketers there was no more price modulation. Now he’s increased it back to N140. No protests, no screaming, just football banters..??

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) July 2, 2020

Buhari has hushppuped Nigeria, so he has increased fuel pump price to #140 per litre.. I weep for my country smh

— Oxymane (@oxymane_) July 2, 2020

 

Some highlighted the fact that the petrol price had just been reduced some months back by N20 and expressed surprise at the sudden increase. 

The 419 Govt of Buhari has increased fuel price just less than 3months after they announced a reduction?? pic.twitter.com/tL3joBIhQV

— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) July 1, 2020

FG hikes petrol to N143.8. This kind of fuel subsidy removal makes me laugh. Buhari is the real Hushpuppi.

— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) July 1, 2020

 

Many called out the action as insensitive considering that Nigerians, along with the rest of the world, are currently experiencing a pandemic. They declared that these were trying times for Nigerians, where many are barely able to get by and the added burden of increased fuel prices is just cruel.

Only Buhari will have the audacity to increase fuel pump price in the middle of a pandemic when families are struggling to get by.

Only Buhari!

Only a totally inconsiderate, insensitive, unthinking President.

— Henry Shield (@henryshield) July 2, 2020

Buhari again has shown us that he doesn't care about us, Increasing fuel price at a time his citizens are struggling to even make ends meet

What benefit is it to Nigerians that we an oil-producing nation?

Buhari has done worst than all our past leaders, He failed us

— Adenekan Mayowa (@Mayorspeaks) July 2, 2020

 

Many called into question why Nigerians weren’t protesting these price hikes as they did in the Goodluck Jonathan regime. They asserted that Buhari has done worse things in this regime than Jonathan ever had, yet Nigerians seem to remain complacent in this era; pondering on reasons why that is. 

I am here thinking, why did we protest the #OccupyNigeria ish when @GEJonathan was in government. I have been wondering what @MBuhari hasn't done that GEJ did. Buhari has done far worse than GEJ yet no protests, the only reason we hated GEJ was becos of his minority status

— Ayekooto (@thebardogbamola) July 1, 2020

During Jonathan's administration,

whenever he increased petrol prices, Nigerians will protest and call him all sorts of names,

But during Buhari,

Many Nigerians are not even aware that he has increased fuel prices.

This useless govt is charming us.

— Barca Principal (@TheGeniusJaj) July 2, 2020

I am here thinking, why did we protest the #OccupyNigeria ish when @GEJonathan was in government. I have been wondering what @MBuhari hasn't done that GEJ did. Buhari has done far worse than GEJ yet no protests, the only reason we hated GEJ was becos of his minority status

— Bodunwa (@Bodunwa3) July 2, 2020

 

Civil Society Organisation, Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) Nigeria have released a statement requesting a reversion of the price and accentuated that price increase during a global pandemic is a violation of human rights. 

BREAKING: We urge President Buhari to immediately reverse proposed upward review of the retail pump price of petrol from N121.50 to between N140.80 and N143.80 per litre.

Increasing fuel price in the middle of COVID-19 is unfair, illegal and a grave violation of human rights.

— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) July 1, 2020