Commercial motorcyclists in Garoua, Cameroon, took to the streets today to protest the Nigerian government’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy. The issue has been causing a stir in Nigeria, and now it seems to be spilling over into surrounding countries.
The protest comes after the Nigerian government stopped the subsidizing of fuel, citing the exposure of crimes that fuel marketers have been indulging in for decades. This move has revealed that the federal government of Nigeria has been unintentionally using the country’s money to subsidize fuel prices for neighbouring countries like Cameroon.
Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate, also backs Tinubu by referring to the fuel subsidy as “an organized crime.” The protest in Garoua saw the commercial motorcyclists expressing their dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s President Tinubu while criticizing his decision to remove the subsidy.
The protestors voiced their concerns in a blend of Fulfulde and French and demanded that the fuel subsidy be restored immediately. They argue that removing the subsidy will lead to an increase in fuel prices and aggravate their already challenging economic situation.
The protest highlights the ripple effects that a decision made in one country can have on another. The Nigerian government’s decision has sparked outrage throughout the region, with many calling for President Tinubu to reconsider. As the protest in Cameroon continues, it is evident that the situation is far from over.
