The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed says increase in prices of foodstuffs, petrol and diesel was a global trend and not limited to any country.

Mr Mohammed, who spoke at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja, added that presenting the situation as a Nigerian problem was mischievous, disingenuous, and misinformation.

He said that the figures being bandied around by the opposition and a section of the press, comparing the prices of some foodstuffs, petrol, diesel, pre-2015 and presently, was mischief.

“This misuse of statistics is clear mischief. Those who bandy around these figures without putting them in context are being clever by half,” he said.

According to the minister, “Nigerians remain traumatised by their 16-year misrule and will not return to ‘Egypt’ by allowing the ‘demolition gang’ back to the office.”

He added, “Let’s take the price of foodstuffs and petrol. Google the price of foodstuffs in other countries, especially the UK and the U.S., and you will discover a steep rise. Ditto for the price of gas or petrol.”

The minister added that the crippling fuel shortage experienced across the country in recent times had started easing as the measures put in place by the government began to take effect.

He reiterated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari recorded massive achievements in all sectors despite the challenges it faced.

(NAN)