APC Protesters Storm National Assembly Over Hardship
A large crowd of activists gathered at Abuja’s Three Arms Zone on Tuesday, demanding urgent reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector amid growing frustration over soaring fuel prices, persistent fuel scarcity, and increasing economic hardship.
The protest, organised by the APC Solidarity and Development Forum, brought together youth and civil society organisations who voiced their dissatisfaction with the state of the oil industry. The demonstrators expressed concerns about the ongoing fuel crisis, which they believe is a result of systemic failures within the sector.
Speaking to journalists, protest leaders Kabir Matazu and Danielsi Momoh condemned the government’s inability to address fuel shortages and high prices, despite repeated assurances from authorities. “The continued shortages and inflated prices are a direct result of management failures in the oil industry,” they stated.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the protesters called for accountability, highlighting the failure to operationalise local refineries despite a $4 billion government investment. “This inaction undermines the government’s ‘renewed hope’ agenda and calls for leadership change,” the letter read.
The demonstrators also expressed concern over the absence of a clear strategy to revitalise and operate local refineries, stressing that the lack of a comprehensive plan hampers the country’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products. “We demand a clear roadmap for the revitalisation of our local refineries to ensure self-sufficiency and reduce our reliance on imports,” the protesters said.
The group also raised concerns about unresolved corruption within the sector, calling for the National Assembly to take swift action to combat the importation of substandard petroleum products. They demanded the establishment of an investigative committee to address alleged misconduct, with any officials implicated to be prosecuted through anti-corruption agencies.
“We urge the President to appoint a qualified individual to lead the oil sector, someone with the integrity and expertise necessary to restore public confidence,” the protest leaders concluded. “We also demand that those responsible for corruption in the sector be handed over to the EFCC for prosecution.”
The protesters urged the National Assembly to enact and enforce strict regulations, ensuring that the oil sector operates efficiently and supports Nigeria’s economic welfare. 73 Minors to be Reintegrated into Society, Says Kano Gov
