By Rita Ebiuwa
In 2015, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed power, Nigerians paid N87 per litre for petrol. Today, in 2024, that price has skyrocketed to an unprecedented N897 per litre. In just nine years, the APC government has managed to do what the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) could not do in 16 years: create a situation where basic living costs have become nearly unbearable for the average Nigerian.
The journey from N87 to N897 has been marked by a series of fuel price hikes that have placed immense pressure on Nigerian households. The APC government, which came into power on the promise of change and better governance, has instead presided over an economic landscape where fuel price increases have become a norm rather than an exception.
Initially, the APC justified these price hikes as necessary for economic reforms, claiming they were removing fuel subsidies to redirect funds to other critical sectors. However, the reality on the ground has been quite different. These so-called reforms have not translated into tangible benefits for the populace. Instead, they have led to inflation, reduced purchasing power, and widespread economic hardship.
The suffering caused by these price hikes is not limited to a particular region; it is a nationwide crisis. Yet, in Edo State, the local APC would have the people believe that Governor Godwin Obaseki is solely responsible for the economic difficulties they face. This narrative is not only misleading but also dangerous, as it ignores the broader context of nationwide suffering that has been exacerbated by the APC’s policies at the federal level.
The truth is that the challenges facing Edo are a direct result of the economic mismanagement and policy failures of the APC-led federal government. The rising fuel prices have contributed to increased transportation costs, higher food prices, and a general decline in the standard of living across the country, including in Edo State.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the APC’s governance is its blatant disregard for the will and well-being of the people. Just a few weeks ago, Nigerians took to the streets in protest against bad governance and the worsening economic conditions. Instead of listening to the grievances of the people and addressing the root causes of their suffering, the APC government responded by further increasing fuel prices. This move can only be interpreted as a punitive measure, a way of teaching the people a lesson for daring to voice their dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration.
As the 2024 elections approach, the people of Edo State are faced with a critical decision. Will they allow the APC, with its track record of economic mismanagement and disregard for the people’s welfare, to extend its influence to Edo? The APC has already shown what it is capable of at the federal level, and there is no reason to believe that its governance in Edo would be any different.
Governor Obaseki has worked tirelessly to mitigate the impact of these federal policies on the people of Edo, but there is only so much that can be done at the state level when the federal government continues to implement harmful policies. The people of Edo must recognize that the suffering they are experiencing is not the result of local governance but of a broader national crisis caused by the APC.
The APC should be offering apologies to Nigerians for the suffering it has caused, not seeking votes to continue its reign of hardship. The people of Edo have a chance to send a clear message: that they will not allow the APC’s brand of bad governance to take root in their state. They must rise and resist any attempts by the APC to extend its influence to Edo, knowing full well that the consequences would be disastrous.
In this critical moment, the people of Edo must stand firm and protect their state from the failures of the APC. They cannot afford to deal with the incompetence and mismanagement of the APC at both the federal and state levels. The time to act is now, before it is too late.
