Abuja — Di Northern States Christian Elders Forum, NOSCEF, don urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse di latest increase for di pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, warning say Nigerians patience with worsening economic hardship no suppose be mistaken for acceptance.
For households wey already dey struggle to keep up with food prices, transport fares and other basic expenses, di elders say another petrol-price increase go only tighten di squeeze, further weaken purchasing power and deepen di uncertainty wey millions of Nigerians dey face.
Inside a statement by its Chairman, Elder Sunday Oibe, di forum urge Tinubu to use di remaining period of im administration to tackle di immediate pressures on citizens, including di rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and di decay of critical infrastructure. ‘Di patience of Nigerians no suppose be mistaken for acceptance of perpetual hardship,’ NOSCEF warned.
Di elders say government suppose look beyond repeated increases in di cost of petroleum products if e need additional revenue to fund its programmes and obligations, arguing say alternative and sustainable sources suppose be explored instead of continually transferring di burden to citizens.
Dem say di welfare of Nigerians suppose also take precedence over political calculations about future elections, insisting say government must respond to di economic realities wey ordinary families dey face. ‘NOSCEF believe say di welfare of Nigerians must come before political calculations about future elections. Government suppose listen to di cries of citizens and respond with policies wey go provide meaningful relief,’ di forum said.
While acknowledging say di administration don make efforts in some areas, Oibe say di continuing hardship across di country show say much more need to be done.
Di forum particularly caution di President against relying solely on officials or supporters wey fit give am a rosier picture of di economy pass di one wey citizens dey experience. ‘We therefore appeal to President Tinubu make e no be insulated from di realities wey dey confront ordinary Nigerians by praise-singers or officials wey fit present a more favourable picture of di economy,’ NOSCEF said.
Di elders say their position dey grounded in their contact with communities where di economic crisis dey felt directly. ‘Our members dey live among di people, worship with them, work with them, and experience their struggles. We no fit pretend say we no see wetin dey happen around us,’ di forum said.
According to NOSCEF, di combination of hunger, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructural decay and declining purchasing power don leave many Nigerians facing a profound sense of uncertainty and hopelessness.
E therefore call for measures to reduce di cost of living and restore household purchasing power, create productive economic opportunities for young Nigerians, strengthen di fight against insecurity and accelerate di provision and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.
Di forum also urge di Federal Government to make citizens’ welfare a central consideration in major economic decisions. ‘Government must respond with empathy, urgency and practical solutions,’ NOSCEF said.
Di elders warn say continued public patience no suppose be interpreted as unlimited willingness to endure worsening living conditions. ‘This na di time for government to demonstrate empathy, listen to di people and take decisive action to prevent further deterioration in di living conditions of citizens. Nigeria belong to all of us, and di suffering of one Nigerian suppose concern every responsible leader,’ di forum said.
