Fuel and cash shortages have caused frustration and anger among Nigerians ahead of the election. The shortages have caused long lines and increased prices, making it difficult for people to access the resources they need. The situation has added to the already high levels of tension in the country as the election approaches. It is important for the government and relevant authorities to take steps to address the shortages and ensure that citizens have access to the resources they need.
Fuel lines
Nigeria produces some of the most crude oil in Africa, but because its outdated refineries have minimal refining capability, it must import petroleum from Europe and other places, which leads to frequent fuel lines.
Around fifty individuals are gathered outside a bank on the opposite side of the street, and new people are constantly entering the group.
Alexander Okwori is attempting, like everyone else, to obtain some of the new banknotes introduced in October to replace the old naira; the deadline for the exchange was January 31.
New notes
However, just a few banks were dispersing the new notes days before the deadline, depriving many Nigerians—who are largely impoverished and lack bank accounts—of access to cash.
The government backed down and agreed to extend the deadline to February 10 but many banks were still unable to issue the new notes on Tuesday.
“No ATMs are dispensing cash. I visited ten banks, but there are no new notes,” said Okwori, who is concerned about how he will pay for the day’s worth of food.
He’s so furious now that he won’t be casting his ballot on February 25.
“I have to stand in line once more to obtain my PVC (voting card). what reason? The 21-year-old claimed that all politicians had similar traits.”
Bola Tinubu of the president’s ruling party and Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition party are the two leading contenders fighting to succeed Buhari.
The two are seasoned politicians who are wealthy and under suspicion of corruption by many voters.
What’s happening in Nigeria?
Vanessa Ifejitah and her children were stranded in their car for three hours while driving to school because of a traffic jam outside another gas station on Awolowo Road.
The mother of two exits her vehicle while donning an exquisite orange dress and begins yelling at the military personnel who are nearby.
Ifejitah yells, “You are the cause of our difficulties!” as she points to their car, which is blocking the way for other drivers. In an effort to solve the situation, she starts directing traffic herself.
“The queue is getting worse every day… I don’t know what is happening in Nigeria,” she says, getting back into her car, on the verge of tears. “My children are two hours late for school.”
Across the nation, anger is rising less than a month before election day.
Local media reported that protests about the fuel shortages broke out on Monday and Thursday, respectively, in Benin City and Warri in the south.
Anger-filled mobs also demonstrated against Buhari’s recent visit to Kano, the largest city in the north, blazing bonfires and throwing rocks at police in what is often one of the president’s strongholds.
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Source: Aljazeera
