Ahmad Bashir, a media aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, says the rising costs of premium motor spirit, or petrol, would inflict untold hardship and suffering on Nigerians.
“There’s no doubt, the increase in petroleum products will bring untold hardship to the masses,” Mr Ahmad wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.
“We only pray to the Almighty God that the increase will in future be beneficial to all and Nigeria in general,” he added.
Mr Ahmad’s remarks come as petrol price hit N617 on Tuesday. It rose from N195 to N540 on May 29, when President Bola Tinubu declared an end to fuel subsidies upon his inauguration.
Mele Kyari, managing director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), said the skyrocketing price of premium motor spirit results from market realities.
Mr Tinubu had offered $10 monthly for six months to 12 million households. However, the decision has been reversed as Nigerians berated the offer as too meagre.