Fuel Subsidy: Youth Groups Back Tinubu, Faults NLC On Strike

An umbrella body for youth groups and middle-aged Nigerians, Rising-up for a United Nigeria, has endorsed the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group led by Ambassador Solomon Adodo kicked against the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over Tinubu’s action.

At a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Adodo said the new policy was in the best interest of Nigerians and lauded Tinubu for taking the bold step.

Adodo said it is a bitter pill all Nigerians have to swallow to end the long-term problems plaguing the polity, especially unemployment and its twin – poverty.

He appealed to the citizens to resist all overtures to oppose the government on the matter.

He charged Nigerians to put on innovative thinking caps to partner with the government to come out of the temporary storm, adding that “all calls for strikes and/or protests should be strongly resisted while vistas of dialogue should be opened for cushioning measures to ease the plight of Nigerians.”

“We must be reminded that the task of building any great nation rests principally on the shoulders of her youth and even though we talk about our heroes’ past, we are the heroes present that shall rise to build the great Nigeria buoyed by renewed hope for an uncommon transformation of our country to the greatness we so dream of,” he said.

He applauded Tinubu for appointing Senator George Akume and Femi Gbajabiamila as secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and chief of staff to the president respectively.

He expressed support for the endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate president of the 10th National Assembly.

He said: “As we gear up towards the election of the presiding officials of the National Assembly, we are hopeful that the Senate particularly will return another promising patriot with uncommon achievements and antecedents in the Person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, CON as President of the Senate.

“The over 100 million Nigerian young and middle-aged citizens have overwhelmingly endorsed Sen. Akpabio as Senate President, having performed creditably throughout his trajectory of leadership as Governor, Senator and Minister.

“We firmly believe he will fittingly complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the virile legislature needed for a highly effective Executive that shall usher a greater Nigeria. It is highly imperative to make it clear that at such trying times as this, the nation needs courageous and tactful leaders to head all the three arms of government.

“We are at crossroads of challenges amidst opportunities and only Senator Akpabio judging from his past records can complement the vision of Mr. President of rapidly transforming Nigeria to an economic super power where poverty, hunger, unemployment and all related vicissitudes will be dealt a lethal blow.

“We therefore urge all senators-elect across all Party lines to put the Nigerian dream first by electing Akpabio as Senate president so that Tinubu can get the needed legislative support to drive the new Nigeria to fruition.”