Hike In Passport Fees By Tinubu Administration Will Deceive Nigerians, Says Southern Nigeria Peoples’ Mandate

By Chuks Eke

The Southern Nigeria Peoples’ Mandate (SNPM) has voiced its concern regarding the recent increase in international passport fees, asserting that this measure represents President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued creation of hardship for already impoverished Nigerians.

SNPM expressed regret that the increase comes at a time when Nigerians are struggling for survival, after two years and three months under Tinubu’s administration.

The organisation contends that the administration is indifferent to the daily struggles of the Nigerian people.

In a press statement issued on Monday, SNPM criticised the administration for focusing on enriching private pockets by increasing international passport prices by over 100 per cent, instead of addressing the suffering of the populace.

The statement claimed, “Currently, a 50-page passport booklet costs N100,000, while a 100-page booklet costs N200,000, according to the Minister of Interior.

However, we can assure Nigerians that the price announced by the federal government is not the actual price.”

“If you go to the Immigration office, you will be told the real price of a passport. We state this because it is a common practice across Nigeria: government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels announce an official price, but when you go to their offices, they triple the cost. We challenge them to prove us wrong.

“Consider the National ID card. To obtain it, you have to pay N5,000, despite the federal government’s claim that it is issued free of charge.

” This administration purports to be corruption-free, but in reality, billions of naira are being stolen from Nigerians under Tinubu’s watch, even as he maintains that his administration has improved the economy, where 1 US dollar is exchanged for N1650.

“Commodity prices have increased by more than 400 per cent, yet this government is not considering how to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

“Their only concern is the 2027 election, as if they are Almighty God, deciding what will and will not happen.

“SNPM therefore reiterates its call for President Tinubu to strengthen the local currency, the naira, by reducing the exchange rate to N50 per US dollar. This will alleviate suffering by more than 600 per cent, allowing the poor to breathe.

“Today, a litre of fuel costs N950, cooking gas is N1200 per kg, diesel is N1200 per litre, and kerosene is out of reach for the poor. It appears that Tinubu’s administration’s agenda is to economically cripple Nigerians, which is why he is unconcerned about the cries of the suffering masses, who are already enduring hardship as a result of his poor economic policy.”

“Nigeria continues to import fuel despite having the largest refinery in the world. Why can’t the federal government stop fuel imports? The answer is simple: because of the money they are siphoning. That is why all our pleas for them to stop fuel import have fallen on deaf ears.”