The political landscape in Lagos State was struck by tragedy this week as the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed profound shock and deep sorrow over the sudden death of Mr. Karamo Yesiro. Yesiro had just been re-elected as the party's Assistant Publicity Secretary at the Lagos State APC Congress, which was held at Onikan Stadium. His passing occurred barely 24 hours after this significant political victory, casting a pall over the party's recent activities.
The deceased was a key figure set to assume a formal role in the party's leadership structure. He was expected to be part of the cohort of newly elected Lagos State APC executives scheduled for inauguration at the party secretariat on Thursday. This planned inauguration now proceeds under the shadow of an unexpected and painful loss for the party's ranks and its future communications strategy.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, the party's spokesman, Mr. Seye Oladejo, articulated the collective grief. The party described Yesiro's passing as a painful and tragic loss, underscoring the abrupt nature of the event. This formal communication highlights the disruption caused to the party's internal plans and the personal impact on its members following the successful congress.
Separately, Nigerian households are grappling with a severe economic squeeze as the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has skyrocketed. Verified data shows the ex-depot price surged by 13 per cent week-on-week, reaching N18 million per 20 metric tonnes, up from N15.95 million recorded the previous week. This sharp increase at the wholesale level has had an immediate and drastic impact on retail consumers.
The price hike translates directly to a staggering N1,400 per kilogram at the retail level, marking a 40 percent increase from the N1,000 per kilogram charged just last week. A visit to various gas stations across Lagos confirmed this new reality, with cooking gas now selling for up to N1,400 per kilogram in many locations. This rapid inflation places a heavy burden on families and small businesses that rely on the fuel for daily cooking and operations.
Mr. Inyang Edu, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, provided critical context for the crisis. He confirmed that the depot price had indeed risen to N18 million per 20 metric tonnes, with some depots even selling as high as N19 million. His statement points to systemic supply chain issues driving the unprecedented cost increase.
Edu attributed the price surge directly to international geopolitical tensions, stating, 'We are faced with limited supply in the international market due to the Iraq-Israel-American crisis, which has now triggered the price increase.' This explanation links domestic economic hardship in Nigeria to broader global conflicts, demonstrating how international events can directly affect the cost of living for ordinary citizens.
Further detailing the market volatility, Edu noted, 'As of last week, the price dropped to N15.95 million per 20 mt from N16 million, but with this crisis, it has increased to N18 million.' This quote illustrates the sharp and recent reversal in pricing trends, underscoring how quickly economic conditions can deteriorate due to external shocks. The combined stories of political loss and economic strain paint a picture of a challenging week for Lagosians, dealing with both institutional grief and mounting household expenses.
