In 1993, President Ernest Shonekan sent shockwaves across the nation by spiking the petrol pump price from 70k to N5, a whopping 614% increase.
.
As the country erupted in protest, the unexpected happened – Sani Abacha stepped in, displaced Shonekan, and promptly reduced the price to N3.25k, a surprising -35% adjustment.
.
The streets buzzed with jubilation as citizens welcomed the relief.
.
Little did they know, this was just the calm before another storm.
.
Within a year, Abacha, having earned the people’s trust, played his hand again, raising the price to N15, marking a staggering 361.54% surge.
.
As frustration mounted, the people rallied once more, attempting to voice their dissent.
.
Unfortunately, their efforts were met with a harsh reality – soldiers quashing the protests, rounding up dissenters and locking them away.
.
This rollercoaster of fuel prices serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable twists in the socio-political landscape.
.
It’s a tale of initial relief turning into disappointment, a cycle that left many grappling with the harsh consequences of fluctuating policies.
.
The echoes of this turbulent time still linger in the collective memory, underscoring the importance of vigilance and civic engagement in the face of abrupt changes that impact the lives of ordinary citizens.
