There was low attendance at most churches in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday as many Christians queued for fuel at filling stations as early as 5.30am.
“Instead of going to church for Christmas service, I arrived here at 5.30am with the hope that I would be among those who would buy fuel but I was shocked to meet over 50 vehicles already. This is the only filling station that has not hiked its pump price since the scarcity began; so you can understand why everyone patronises the filling station,” Adediran Olabisi who was waiting to buy fuel at the filling station told The Punch.
He added, “There seems to be a deliberate attempt to make life difficult for Nigerians. But why did the perpetrators chose this special season. I am here looking for fuel for our only car; my household cannot go to church.”
A commercial bus owner, Segun Adeola, said he worked last on Friday because he had been looking for fuel. He also lamented missing Christmas service.
“I cannot afford the black market price because I am not likely going to make the money back from passenger fares. I have been at this filling station for two days and I am still in the queue. I won’t be going for service this morning because I don’t know when it will be my turn. We hope our government and whoever is in charge of fuel importation and distribution will have mercy on suffering Nigerians,” he said.