By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The Yoruba Council Worldwide and the Nigeria Coalition Group have thrown their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, urging the Federal Government to enforce a total ban on fuel importation and prioritise full domestic use of crude oil.
The call was made on Wednesday during a Grand Solidarity ‘Thank You’ Rally Protest held at the entrance of the Lagos State House of Assembly, JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja. At the event, the groups presented a joint letter of demands to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
In a statement signed by Aare Oladotun Hassan, Esq., President and Convener of the Nigeria Coalition Group, the organisations urged the immediate enforcement of a 15 percent import duty tariff on all imported petroleum products, alongside a complete halt to fuel importation into the country.
According to the statement, these measures would promote local refining, strengthen the naira, and shield citizens from recurring economic hardship caused by overreliance on imported fuel.
“We demand the immediate implementation of the 15 percent import duty tax tariffs and a total ban and end to fuel importation into Nigeria without further delay.
“Some oil marketers are lobbying for an extension till the end of the first quarter of 2026, a dangerous, venomous agenda to further make Nigerians suffer endlessly,” the groups said.
The organisations also accused certain oil cabals and union leaders of engaging in economic sabotage and called on the government to investigate their alleged resistance to reforms in the energy sector.
“We frown at the orchestrated attempt to ridicule and de-market our national assets through deceitful decoys and unfounded allegations. Such evil narratives have resulted in economic sabotage and huge financial losses to the country,” the statement added.
Themed “Support for Renewed Hope and Economic Freedom,” the rally attracted participants from various civil society organisations, student unions; including NULAS, NANS, and NAPS, as well as socio-cultural groups such as OPC, Agbekoya, Arewa Youths Groups, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Parliament Worldwide.
Clad in white shirts and jeans to symbolise unity, participants passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, describing his Renewed Hope Agenda as a bold step toward achieving economic independence.
“We reaffirm our total confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. His bold reforms deserve collective support from all Nigerians who truly desire sustainable growth and self-reliance,” the statement added.
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