The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, on Friday, lamented the harsh economic situation in the country following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
The organization declared that Nigerians are suffering due to the action subsidy, noting that life in the country today, “is becoming a living hell as prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities have gone up beyond the reach of the poor masses.”
Specifically, the Northern CAN called on President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states of the federation to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedeviling the country were addressed.
In his inaugural address on May, 29, President Tinubu declared an end to the era of subsidy payment, stating that the 2023 budget did not provide for fuel subsidy, making further payment unjustifiable.
However, the development, CAN said, has left Nigerians hungry as poverty has taken over the entire country and called on the president and governors to do something to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.
These were contained in a communique signed by the Northern CAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chaplain Gilbert Jechonia and released to Journalists in Kaduna on Friday.
The communique also called on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the unity and stability of the country regardless of the mass poverty and hunger in the land.
The 11-point-communique at the end of the three-day quarterly meeting presided over by the Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, partly read, “That the President and governors must run an all-inclusive government and ensure that development projects are distributed fairly to give every section of the country or state a sense of belonging.
“The meeting called on President Bola Tinubu to do everything humanly possible to address the issue of food crisis in the land.
“The free fall of the Naira to Dollar and other foreign currency is a threat that the government must address for the good of our economy.
“The meeting also commended the government for taking steps to cushion the effect of the removal of Petrol subsidy by way of providing palliative.
“However, it is our considered opinion that the provision of such palliatives is not a lasting solution to the hardship being faced by the masses.”
“There is mass poverty and hunger in the land, many Nigerians are barely struggling to make ends meet.
“Many businesses have collapsed as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. Unemployment has pushed many young people into crime.
“The meeting called by President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states of the federation to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedevilling the country are addressed,” the association said.
Besides, the religious body also cautioned the Economic Community of West African States against the use of force in resolving the political impasse in the Republic of Benin, following a coup-de-tat.
On the security situation in the country, CAN commended the security agencies for fighting insurgency and banditry.
It noted, however, that it was not yet over as bandits continued to terrorise communities, especially in the north where “these criminals attack communities, killing and abducting people” on a daily basis.
“We call on the federal government not to relent in empowering and supporting security agencies to crush the criminals,” it added.
On the political crisis in Niger Republic, it called on the Economic Community of West African States to explore all diplomatic avenues in resolving the issues rather than use of force that might lead to war.