Don’t Take Nigerians’ Patience For Granted, Arewa Youths Tell FG

Following the recent astronomical increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has cautioned the federal government not to take Nigerians for granted.

President-general of the forum, Yerima Shettima while reacting to the increase said, it is now becoming clearer that the present government may have lost touch with current realities.

He said, it is rather unfortunate for the same government that appealed to Nigerians not to embark on protests with the promise to make life better to wake up all of a sudden to add to the pains of its people.

“Even the blind can see the hard situation and the deaf can also hear that the poverty and absolute hunger in the country is unbelievable and now to add to it is certainly a high level of insensitivity and must be addressed accordingly.

“Today, the price of foodstuff is no longer within the reach of an ordinary Nigerian, and it is now clear that the increase in minimum wage to N70,000 is nothing but a deceit because with the reality on ground, it cannot meet the needs of one person not to talk of a family and now the said money can barely cover for their transportation to the workplaces in a month.

“For me, the federal government should have a rethink on the numerous challenges. President Bola Tinubu must allow Nigerians to breathe because with the situation of things now, angry and hungry Nigerians are further being pushed to the wall and the reaction of a hungry and angry person may be unimaginable,” he stated.

Shettima therefore called on the government, whose primary responsibility is welfare and wellbeing of her citizens, to leave up to their responsibilities and let Nigerians feel the positive impact of the ‘renewed hope agenda’ by making life and living better for Nigerians.

“The sudden increase in the price of petrol has already created a multiplier effect on prices of not only foodstuffs but in several other areas such as transportation, among others,” he added.

He therefore urged the federal government to urgently do the needful to avoid revolt from Nigerians and should, as a matter of urgency, give the wellbeing and welfare of Nigerians a priority.