Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says President Bola Tinubu should reduce the price of petrol to N300 per litre during the yuletide.
George spoke on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos.
The ex-deputy PDP national chairman (southwest) said Nigerians are battling economic hardship, noting that there is a need for a breath of relief.
The elder statesman said the gesture could start from the middle of December to the end of January 2025.
George said well-meaning individuals and businesses could bear the cost of such price reduction to bring happiness to all Nigerians.
“I have been thinking, as a Nigerian, what can we do because the anger and the hunger are almost equal on the streets of Nigeria,” the PDP chieftain said.
“What I am suggesting is that Mr. President should sit down with his managers and give an order that from the middle of December to the end of January, the cost of petrol will be N300 per litre.”
“The government can absorb the losses in the interest of the suffering people.”
“If they (the government) want others to contribute, let us know how much that is going to cost and ask people to donate, to bear the cost.”
“We will be sending a lot of messages of happiness across the tribes and homes.”
“Everybody in Nigeria will be happy because it will positively impact this period of the year. It is a challenge, and he (Tinubu) can do it.”
“We need this in December and January to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.”
He asked the federal government to take other measures to reduce the high inflation rate, unemployment, and poverty.
Since the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023, the price of petrol has been increasing, leading to hikes in transport fares and the prices of food items.
At the moment, petrol sells at a little above N1,000 per litre.
If the federal government followed George’s suggestion, N700 would be paid as a subsidy for one litre of petrol.
