The National Assembly has been requested to ensure that the planned increase in electricity tariff is not carried out.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made the request while rejecting the over 200 percent increase in electricity tariff announced by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
The opposition Party in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiya called on the federal lawmakers to halt the increase by using its statutory legislative instruments.
The party argued that the hike was draconian, obnoxious and provocative which was completely against the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Ologbondiyan, said the policy was in furtherance of the fleecing of Nigerians, who were overburdened and groaning under the weight of high costs, economic repression and heavy taxes already foisted on them by the government.
Said the statement, “It is lamentable that Nigerians, who are already suffering the devastating negative impact of the recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 7.5 by the APC administration, are now being further suppressed with increased electricity tariff.
“Our party holds that the increase in electricity tariff, under the prevailing harsh economic conditions, is injurious to the wellbeing of Nigerians as it will further stress the productive sector and lead to an upsurge in the cost of regular and essential goods and services, including food, medicine, housing, education and other critical needs.
“This APC policy, if allowed, will worsen the suffering of Nigerians as it will put more stress on already overburdened families, cripple businesses, result in job losses and exacerbate the prevailing frightening unemployment rate under the Buhari administration.
“Moreover, the PDP invites Nigerians to note that this toxic and distasteful ‘new year gift’ by the APC administration, at a time Nigerians are coming back from yuletide festivities, shows that the APC is indeed unfeeling, insensitive and have no iota of regard for the sensibilities and wellbeing of our citizens,” the PDP said
