The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, yesterday, lamented the harsh economic situation in the country following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
The organisation 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 bedevilling the country were addressed.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the three-day quarterly meeting presided over by the Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, signed by the Northern CAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chaplain Gilbert Jechonia, in Kaduna yesterday.
Recall that 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.
The 11-point-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. 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.
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.
