Headline
Fuel Subsidy Removal: ‘Nigeria Is A Living Hell Today’, CAN Tells Tinubu, Govs
By Augustine Akhilomen
…Says Prices Of Food, Transportation, Other Essential Commodities Have Gone Up Beyond Reach
…Warns ECOWAS Against Use Of Force In Resolving Political Impasse In Niger Republic
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, has described the living conditions of Nigerians as extremely hell due to the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
In a communique signed by the Northern CAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chaplain Gilbert Jechonia and released to Journalists in Kaduna on Friday, CAN faulted some of the economic policies by the present administration of Tinubu and called for a total reassessment.
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.
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.
The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.
The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.
The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.
The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.
With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.
A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.
The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.
“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.
“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”
The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.
The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.
“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.
The residents who bared their minds in a chat with newsmen said critical infrastructure in the ancient town had been in a downward trend for a long time, but the narratives have changed since the inception of the present administration.
A resident of Tam-Balogun, one of the roads under construction in the town, Mr. Oduwole Lawrence, recalled the harrowing experience he and his neighbours went through in the past, especially during the rainy season, adding that with the construction of the road, life would return to normal for those living in the area.
“The government is doing well, and I love everything they are doing about the roads because roads are one of the amenities people need to move forward.
“Before now, each government had its own plan for infrastructure, but this time around, in a year or two, Ijebu-Ode has developed significantly regarding roads,” he said.
Another resident of the area, Miss Dayo Oluwaremilekun, noted that with the reconstruction of the road by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, the fear of flooding during the rainy season is over.
“Honestly, to be candid, the construction of this road is a great relief to those of us living in this area because in the past, especially during the rainy season, we could not go out, and this affected our movement. But now we thank God we can walk freely; we want to thank the state government for this,” she said.
At the 12.5-kilometer Obalende-Abeokuta road, a resident, Alhaji Kehinde Moshood Sanni, thanked Governor Abiodun for embarking on the reconstruction of the road, which he said had been in a deplorable condition for a long time, urging the governor to continue with his good works.
Similarly, Ojoye Ademolu, another resident of the Obalende-Abeokuta road, who could not hide his excitement about the ongoing reconstruction of the road, said that the road, when completed, would bring joy to the people of the area.
“We are happy; we have been suffering prior to this particular time. Now, we are glad that the road is being reconstructed. All we ask for is for the contractor to hasten up and complete it on time so that we can be even happier,” he said.
Speaking on the progress of work done so far on the roads, the site engineer for Fort Hermon, the construction company handling the projects, Michael Umeh, said work has been intensified on the 0.85-kilometer Tam-Balogun road, 1.1-kilometer Osinubi road, and the 12.5-kilometer Obalende-Abeokuta road.
He said clearing the project site, excavation, stone base work, and construction of drainage systems have been completed and are ready for asphalting, noting that rain is the major constraint impeding the speed of work
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement, said the individual, Umar Mohammed, a native of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna,
The police admitted that the fellow was screened and admitted into the stadium as an All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter, wearing the standard campaign T-shirt and carrying banners bearing the images of the President and Governor Uba Sani like every other supporter admitted into the stadium.
The police explained that the individual, out of excitement, breached the protocol and jumped into the restricted arena out of curiosity to catch a closer look at the President. The police said the fellow was immediately blocked and arrested by the security team.
The police said the fellow was thoroughly searched and no incriminating item was found in his possession.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has warned mischief makers and members of the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods or politicising the incident.
The commissioner said the matter would be further investigated.
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