With the rumours of a possible increase in pump price of petroleum products getting stronger by the day, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) on Monday warned of the imminent consequences of any such plan at a time an average Nigerian citizen can hardly afford one good meal a day.

The Conference, which is the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, also counseled the citizens never to put their hope on Labour Unions in Nigeria for any reversal of a hike in pump price if the Federal Government eventually dances to the tune of the rumour mongers.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP maintained that since 2012, it became obvious that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their allied unions have not proven to be selfless partners with the poor masses in times of need and cannot be trusted at this time or even in the future.

According to the CNPP, “The only hope for the ordinary citizen in the country at a time like this is the CNPP and its coalition of civil society groups.

“Since the rumour of fuel price hike began to make the rounds, observable body language of some government officials as well as their statements point to the fact that the increment is sure to come if the ordinary people did not resist the plan.

“More so, former and present bosses of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have at one time or the other in recent times maintained that the price of fuel might have to be increased from the current rate of N145 per litre due to the rising exchange rate.

“The CNPP is currently mobilizing leaders of the civil society groups for a mother-of-all resistance if the federal government dares to increase the pump price of petrol at any time.

“Nigerians should not be taken unawares at this time. Those who are conversant with the antics of the current administration know that any time such rumour and the attendant denials by the Federal Government begins the time for the increment is nearer than imagined.

“But if President Muhammadu Buhari believes that he still has the goodwill that enabled him increase the pump price of fuel from N85.50 to N145, the administration must be joking.

“The Nigerian masses allowed the last fuel price hike because they never wanted the Buhari regime to have any excuse for failure. But today, it has become more obvious that the government has remained on the trial-and-error mode for 18months in office.

“Therefore, we join well meaning Nigerians and the masses of this country to say no to another fuel price hike. The CNPP is set to lead the struggle at this time and the resistance shall be total”, the Conference vowed.

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