Iran–U.S.–Israel War Driving Fuel Price Hike in Nigeria, Says Atoyebi

Honourable Bamidele Atoyebi, convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), has said the ongoing tensions involving Iran, United States and Israel are contributing significantly to rising fuel prices in Nigeria, stressing that the situation is largely driven by disruptions in the global oil market rather than decisions by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Atoyebi made the remarks during an interview with Legit News, where he addressed international tensions, domestic politics and the growing wave of political defections ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the conflict in the Middle East has heightened global fears about oil supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil passes.

“We all know that the oil market is being controlled by the global market,” Atoyebi said. “Many Nigerians think it is this government that is increasing the price of oil, but it is affecting almost the whole world now. The price is going up due to the war that is going on, most especially because of the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz where about 20 percent of the global oil passes through.”

He added that threats to disrupt the strategic waterway have already affected the international energy market.

“They said anybody that passes there they will bomb the place, so now there is no oil flow in that access. That is why the global oil price is going up and when global oil goes up it affects every country including Nigeria,” he said.

Atoyebi also criticized Iran’s military actions in the region, arguing that the country has targeted several Muslim-majority nations despite portraying the conflict as resistance against Western powers.

“Since the war started, Iran has hit virtually all their Muslim brothers who they feel are weak,” he said. “Now how can you be fighting your own brothers and sisters in Islam yet claiming the United States and Israel are fighting against you? How logical is that?”

He warned that the global community’s concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions stems from fears about how such weapons could be used.

“A weapon in the hands of an unskilled person is dangerous,” Atoyebi said. “That is why the advanced countries insist that Iran must not have nuclear weapons. Imagine if those missiles were nuclear weapons and they were not intercepted; many places would have turned to dust by now.”

He also expressed concern that some Nigerian Muslims celebrate Iran’s actions without understanding the broader consequences.

“What many Nigerian Muslims supporting Iran don’t understand is the implication,” he said. “Iran is attacking Muslim countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia which are attracting global investment and even bringing people closer to Islam through peaceful development.”

Turning to domestic politics, Atoyebi defended the detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai, dismissing opposition claims that the move was politically motivated.

“El-Rufai is supposed to be an educated person, but sometimes when arrogance clouds your judgement you find yourself in trouble,” he said. “He even had the guts to say that he was tapping a government security architecture.”

According to him, such statements raise serious national security concerns at a time when the country faces major security challenges.

“When someone says he is tapping the National Security Adviser’s conversation in a country battling insecurity, it raises questions,” he said. “Nigeria is facing a lot of insecurity and anybody leaking government security information is putting the lives of soldiers and citizens at risk.”

He insisted that the law must take its course regardless of political status.

“The law is the law. Even great leaders faced the law,” he said, referencing the imprisonment of Obafemi Awolowo during the First Republic. “Awolowo did not even say something as dreadful as what El-Rufai said yet he was jailed.”

Atoyebi argued that allegations of persecution by opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi were unfounded.

“Atiku and Amaechi are there, they didn’t pick them,” he said.

“Is El-Rufai the only opposition figure in Nigeria? No. So why are they saying it is witch-hunting?”

On the growing defections of lawmakers to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atoyebi said the party was unlikely to become a major political force ahead of the 2027 elections.

“In politics people have freedom of association,” he said. “But the constitution is clear that lawmakers cannot leave the party that elected them unless there is a crisis in that party.”

He noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) still commands a dominant majority in the National Assembly.

“As of today APC still has about 87 senators while they have only a few,” he said. “In law we say facts speak for themselves. If I hold 87 million and you hold nine million, who will buy the market?”

Atoyebi also dismissed speculation that the APC could face internal crisis due to the influx of defectors from opposition parties.

“There is nothing like explosion,” he said. “The party has already held ward, local government, state and national congresses. If there was going to be an explosion it would have happened from the grassroots.”

He attributed the wave of defections to the performance of President Tinubu’s administration.

“Success attracts people,” he said. “Tinubu has made leadership attractive. His success story is drawing people from other parties.”

He cited government initiatives such as student loans, improved welfare for security personnel and a new national minimum wage as evidence of the administration’s impact.

“A man who stopped the Academic Staff Union of Universities strike, a man who increased the minimum wage to ₦70,000 and introduced student loans, is that the man workers and students will leave to follow people without a clear philosophy?” he asked.

Atoyebi also welcomed reported political realignments involving figures linked to opposition strongholds, saying such developments show growing confidence in the administration.

“If tomorrow even Atiku says he wants to join APC, we will welcome him,” he said. “What we see in APC today is good news and a smooth ride.”

Honourable Bamidele is the convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG). He is also the publisher at Unfiltered and Mining reporting.