Afenifere faction demands N400 petrol, minimum wage hike

A faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, led by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has called for an immediate reduction in petrol prices to between N350 and N400 per litre to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

The group described the government’s proposed petrol price stabilisation mechanism, which would keep the price at not more than N1,350 per litre, as falling far short of public expectations.

The demand comes days after the Federal Government announced plans to negotiate a N1,350-per-litre ceiling on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol under a proposed price modulation mechanism aimed at stabilising prices.

The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, had said the arrangement would help cushion the impact of rising fuel costs.

Afenifere made the demand in a communiqué issued on Sunday after its monthly National Executive Committee meeting held in Lagos at the weekend.

The communiqué was signed by Afenifere National Leader, Olaitan, and its newly appointed substantive Secretary-General, Alade Rotimi-John.

The communiqué partly read, “The meeting observed the announcement by government through its Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy respecting a putative price modulation mechanism for ensuring petrol price stabilisation at not more than N1,350 as a far cry from the expectation of the people.

“The meeting proposed an immediate review of the fuel price to between N350 – N400 per litre so as to ease the general situation regarding the unaffordability of the product.”

The group also lamented the prevailing economic hardship, hunger and high inflation, which it described as defining features of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

It decried what it called the government’s casual approach to its responsibilities, saying it had failed to adequately address issues relating to safety, security, the economy and the general well-being of Nigerians.

“The meeting reviewed the general socio-political and economic situation of the country and observed that a pervasive climate of hardship, hunger and hyperinflation is yet the defining characteristic of the Tinubu presidency.

“The meeting decried the casual or footloose carriage of the government respecting its covenant responsibilities on safety, security, the economy, and general well-being,” the communiqué added.

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Afenifere also expressed concern over rising political intolerance and inflammatory statements by some members of the political class ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Meeting denounced the rising wave of intolerance among a cross-section of the political class who make reckless, inflammatory and inciting statements thereby heating up the polity and constricting the democratic space,” it added.

The organisation called for decorum among politicians, urging them to conduct their electioneering campaigns in a civilised manner.

“Meeting called for a civilised conduct of electioneering in accordance with global best practices,” the communiqué read.

Afenifere further challenged the government to ensure free and fair general elections in 2027 by allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission to operate independently.

“The meeting challenged the government to ensure a free and fair 2027 general election by allowing INEC to be truly independent,” it stated.

On workers’ welfare, the group called for an upward review of the N70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that inflation had eroded its value.

“Meeting observed that the statutory minimum wage of N70,000 per month is due for an upward review so as to meet the challenges of the inflationary spiral which have rendered the minimum wage unreasonable and unfeeling in the present circumstances,” the communiqué stated.

The meeting also approved Rotimi-John’s appointment as the substantive Secretary-General of Afenifere.

Those in attendance included Olaitan, Omo-Oba Supo Shonibare, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Tola Mobolurin, Bayo Adenekan, Justice Faloye, Dele Farotimi, Toyin Falade, Lanre Anjolaiya, Olayemi Olajuyinnu and Wale Balogun.

The organisation also condoled with Leke Adefala on the death of his wife and resolved to attend the funeral ceremonies.