The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, Matthew Kukah has implored the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevail on the federal government to reverse the latest increase in the petrol price.
He delivered a speech on Friday at the unveiling of the progressive institute (TPI), the brain trust of the APC.
On September 3, the National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited raised the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol to N855 across its retail outlets in the country.
The price of fuel was hiked at petrol stations across the country, ranging from N855 per litre to over N1,000.
The development happened as a result of a prolonged scarcity which has strained business activities all over Nigeria.
“A girl was asked, which party are you? APC, LP or PDP? She said: ‘I am hungry’. So, we Nigerians are hungry. You have to find a way of reducing this price of fuel,” Kukah said.
“Unless democracy is anchored on a sound foundation, we will be building on sand. I am concerned about the quality of democracy in Nigeria. We need to fix the problem with democracy in Nigeria.”
Dignitaries who were present the event include Abdullahi Ganduje; APC national chairman; George Akume; secretary to the government of the federation; and Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF).
The president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio was represented by his deputy, Barau Jibrin.
Speaking to members of the APC, Ganduje said the institute will make sure that the ideology of the party is firm.
The APC national chairman added that TPI will also serve as the official policy think-tank of the party, creating a platform for Nigerians, academia and the media to share ideas.
He also said that the institute will provide policy advice to the government elected on the platform of the party both at the national and state levels.