A faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, led by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has called on the Federal Government to reduce 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 seeks to keep prices at no more than N1,350 per litre, as inadequate and far below public expectations.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued on Sunday following Afenifere’s monthly National Executive Committee meeting held in Lagos over the weekend. The communiqué was signed by Olaitan and the organisation’s newly appointed substantive Secretary-General, Alade Rotimi-John.
The Federal Government had earlier 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. The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, said the arrangement was intended to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.
Afenifere, however, insisted that a more significant reduction was necessary to make the product affordable, particularly amid rising inflation and declining purchasing power.
The organisation also criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing persistent hardship, hunger and high inflation. It accused the government of failing to adequately address its responsibilities regarding security, economic stability and the general welfare of Nigerians.
On the political situation ahead of the 2027 general elections, the group expressed concern over growing intolerance and inflammatory remarks by some politicians, warning that such conduct could heighten tensions and undermine democratic participation.
It urged political actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully and in line with global best practices, while calling on the Federal Government to guarantee free and fair elections by allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate independently.
The group also called for an upward review of the N70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that persistent inflation had significantly eroded its purchasing power and rendered it inadequate to meet workers’ basic needs.
Meanwhile, the meeting formally approved Rotimi-John’s appointment as Afenifere’s substantive Secretary-General.
Those in attendance included 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, among others.
The organisation also expressed condolences to Leke Adefala over the death of his wife and resolved to participate in the funeral ceremonies.
