Fuel Hike: Reactions As Nigerians Call For Soyinka To Lead Protest

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Monday, March 15th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Some Nigerians have taken to the micro-blogging platform to express contrary views concerning calls for Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, to head a fresh protest against the purported increase in the price of fuel.

Although, the Federal Government had apologised and refuted claims that there are plans to increase fuel price “for now”, some Nigerians on the micro-blogging platform stated that Soyinka should have at least condemned the plan of the federal government.

Many netizens uploaded the front page of an old edition of The PUNCH where the Nobel Laureate described former President, Goodluck Jonathan, as being worst than Nebuchadnezzar.

It had reported that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency announced in a new monthly template that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, has reached N212.6 per litre.

According to the template, which the PPRA later removed, petrol is expected to sell at a lower retail price of N209.61 and at an upper retail price of N212.61.

Many Nigerians are also skeptical of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s insistence that there won’t be any increase in petrol price in March.

Some Nigerians argued that Soyinka could have repeated his action by going on a protest during the fuel subsidy removal during Jonathan’s regime but others noted that he was too old to embark on such.

NEFERTITI@firstladyship wrote: “To be fair to Wole Soyinka, he has paid his dues, for his sins against Goodluck Jonathan. Prof has made his peace with posterity, so bickering on the issue, is needless.. Soyinka is an old man now, & honestly; the baton has fallen on you & I, to continue from where he stopped!!”

The Kingmaker@SmithVinci wrote: “It’s not like Wole Soyinka was in his Early 30s when he protested against Goodluck Jonathan… Only difference now is Wole Soyinka has realized the things he did and said against Jonathan, if he tries it with Buhari, he will be writing his next book in a DSS safe deposit box.”

Reno Omokri@renoomokri wrote: “Wole Soyinka accused then President @GEJonathanof being “worse than Nebuchadnezzar”. I wonder if that is still his final answer, especially as tens of thousands of his fellow Ogun states indigenes relocate to Benin Republic because of herdsmen.”

Dr. Dípò Awójídé@OgbeniDipo wrote: “Where is Wole Soyinka, why is he not protesting?” Wole Soyinka is 86. Where are your parents and why are they not protesting?”

Salau Raheem@SalauRaheem5 wrote: “Wole Soyinka was 80 when he protested in 2015. So, the energy suddenly lost within 6 years.”

D’Angelo@Hard_Studs wrote: “Soyinka is not dragged for criticising Jonathan who deserved some criticism but for selling Buhari, after warning against Buhari for 20 years. If I see prof. I’ll ask him what changed. Comparing people’s expectations of Mbaka and Soyinka is an insult.”

20.10.20@WarriorsAbia writes: “Everyday our ruined economy and security is mentioned, I remember how Soyinka demonized Jonathan and his wife I pray every day the insecurities will affect all those who conspired to put us in this mess.”

Norland Health #EndSARS@NorlandHealth writes: “No lie o. His selling Buhari to Nigerians is a mortal sin. He knew Buhari quite well. He knew Buhari was and still is a dictator. Yet, he sold him to a younger generation, instead of warning young Nigerians to avoid wicked old men. As far as I’m concerned, he is one of them.”

Hugo Briggs@MACBRIGGS wrote: “How old was he when he appeared at Ojota for a rally against GEJ? Kindly enlighten us on the dues paid also.”