Tinubu spearheads war in Niger while Nigerians can’t afford prices of essential commodities
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Bola Tinubu is spearheading a potential war in Niger Republic, which will further deplete the national treasury, in the proxy battle for influence between the United States and Russia in Africa, but Nigerians are finding it hard to pay for transportation, food, and other essentials.
Another special summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja on Thursday authorised a standby military force to dislodge the putschists in Niger Republic, and Nigeria Airforce top brass swiftly gave orders to rank and file to mobilise, broadcast on national television.
Most Nigerians oppose going to war across the northern border because they are already grappling with internal crisis threatening their existence.
For instance, a lack of palliative for fuel subsidy removal has resulted in commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway lamenting the hike in fares by commercial drivers plying Berger, Arepo, Magboro, Mowe, Ibafo, and other areas on the route.
Bus drivers raised fares blaming the removal of fuel subsidy which increased the pump price of petrol.
A passenger who identified himself simply as Adewale said he paid N1,000 from Berger to Magboro on Thursday instead of the normal N400.
“On a usual day, I spend N400 from Berger to Magboro, but today I paid N1,000,” Adewale told The PUNCH which carried out the survey.
Another passenger, Adewunmi, recounted she used to pay N500 from Ketu to Mowe, but the fare increased to N700.
“It was a rude shock when I heard the driver say that the fare was N700. Almost everybody on the bus exclaimed because the fare is normally N500.
“We didn’t have a choice but to pay. But I also heard a man say that the price might increase tomorrow,” Adewunmi said.
A lady called Joy travelling from Oshodi to Mowe narrated how “I was surprised when I heard the new transport fare. I was not with enough money so I was very disturbed.
“I had to call home for somebody to send an extra N1,000 to me so I could use it to balance up my transport fare. I take Mowe for N800 or N1, 000 but today I paid N1,300. The situation is unbearable.”
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Having to pass the night at Redemption Camp
A passenger who did not disclose his name said: “I will just sleep at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Camp this night because I can’t keep paying this amount to and fro.”
Wale, a bus driver, explained the hike in fares was also partly caused by high demand from increased passenger traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, per The PUNCH.
“The demand is very high because people are moving towards the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. We all live in Lagos and we know how difficult the current economic situation is. I have to do anything to survive,” he stressed.
Many passengers on Thursday were heading to Redemption Camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for the Annual Convention of the RCCG themed, “Beyond Expectation”.
The traffic jam also affects Ojodu, Otedola, and adjoining routes.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Sector Commander, Babatunde Farinloye, explained the gridlock is due to the ongoing religious activities along the route.
“I’m even inside the traffic for like three hours. It’s due to the church programmes ongoing on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” he said.
“The RCCG is holding a programme and two other churches are also doing their own. It’s due to the traffic volume towards that area. I had to call men of the NSCDC to join us.”
