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‘Food Prices Haven’t Dropped’ – Nigerians Counter Presidency’s Statement

Published

3 months ago

Aug 17, 2024.

Nigerians have strongly rejected the Presidency’s recent claim that food prices have been falling.

Rinsola Abiola, the Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership to President Bola Tinubu, stated during an appearance on AIT Weekend Show on Saturday, August 10, that online vendors have confirmed a decrease in food prices.

She attributed this to the federal government’s efforts to alleviate economic hardship and hunger.

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However, many Nigerians on social media, particularly on the X platform, disagreed, saying that the statement does not reflect the reality in the markets.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that this sentiment was echoed in responses to a poll by Obianuju Udeh, also known as DJ Switch, a prominent leader of the #EndSARS protest.

On Friday, DJ Switch questioned the claims, asking, “I have come across some tweets and a report saying food prices are down. My question is, is it true prices are down? If so, that would be good news. Please share what you are experiencing on ground.”

In reaction, Nigerians disagreed with the position of Rinsola Abiola. They said prices of food remained the same. On tomatoes price Mrs Abiola said came down from ₦180,000 to ₦35,000; an X user, Chinedu Okoli said there was more supply in the market due to the harvest period and not actually as a result of government policies.

For IBEZYMAKO, @Bis_realibeh, “Prices of food items remain the same. Transportation fare is on the increase because of cost of PMS and nobody is talking about it. Government of deceptive propaganda.”

Ozagu. enterprises, @OzaguE98786, argued that “it is only in the Tinubu market that items are cheap. Semo 10kg a year ago ₦6400, two months ago ₦12,300, now ₦16000-₦18000, Beans ₦5000, Yam(3) ₦7500, Milo refill ₦5500, Garri ₦2000, Rice bag ₦78000. The truth is, most have stopped eating a lot of food; Items are not affordable by most Nigerians.”

Joseph Olawale Bamidele, @olawale_bam, said, “A liter fuel now sells for at least ₦700 to ₦900. Black market goes for ₦1,300. Mudu of rice is still ₦2,700. Food price coming down is propaganda. APC will crumble.”

Food Prices Nigerians Presidency

Chinedu Okoli, @chineduokoli_,: “The truth is that this is harvesting period for some crops. It will slow inflation but this is just temporary cos once this phase wears off, the food prices will double.

“Prices that have gone down are perishable goods o, like tomatoes and pepper that can not be stored for long period.”

Saint Adaugoijele, @JustAdaugoijele, said, “Please, no food price is down. It’s still increasing.”

Daniel Alabi, @alabi_daniel, argued, “We bought rice last month btw ₦1,200 – ₦1,300 per Derica in Itele area of Ogun State and Lagos. We still buy it same today.”