Fuel scarcity: Fayemi denies asking Buhari to increase product to N250 per litre

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has denied a statement circulating on the social media in which he was quoted as justifying the current fuel scarcity.

 

The minister was said to have made the comment in an interview with a radio station.

He was quoted as saying, “Don’t mind (Ekiti State Governor Ayodele) Fayose, he is a noise maker. I told the President yesterday that even if it means raising the pump price to N250 per litre, Nigerians will still buy, provided it is available.”

The minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday, that Fayemi never granted any interview to any radio station or any other media outlet on the fuel crisis.

Oyebode in the statement said, “It has become necessary to debunk this wicked falsehood being spread by mischief makers via the social media, especially for the sake of well-meaning members of the public, who have expressed concern over the source of the falsehood.

“The honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, never granted any interview with WE FM 106.3 and the management of the radio station can attest to this fact.

“Members of the public should note that the fabricated comment, emanated from no other source than the media unit of Ekiti State Governor’s Office, which is now a den for fraudsters and where falsehood and blackmail have been elevated to statecraft.

“Anyone who knows the pedigree of the minister would attest to the fact that he is not capable of making such a careless statement.

“Fayemi remains focused on his current assignment and no amount of manufactured lies can distract him.”