Makinde: Nigerians Shouldn't Pay for Fuel Price Hikes

Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), asserted that Nigerians should not be burdened with higher fuel prices resulting from the Federal Government's failure to secure the country's borders against smuggling. In his newsletter released on Thursday, he criticized the framing of the fuel subsidy debate, emphasizing that the focus should be on border security rather than imposing additional costs on citizens.

Makinde argued that the discussion should extend beyond whether to reinstate the fuel subsidy or maintain its removal, proposing that the more pertinent question is the appropriate pricing framework for Nigeria as an oil-producing nation. He stressed the need for transparency regarding how petrol prices are determined, including factors like crude price benchmarks and logistics costs.

Makinde also highlighted the broader economic challenges facing Nigeria, advocating for systemic reforms through his proposed "Reset Nigeria" movement to address these issues.