Petrol hike: Don’t push Nigerians into further hardship, NOSCEF tells Tinubu

•Warns citizens’ patience shouldn’t be mistaken for acceptance

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to reverse the latest increase in the price of petrol, warning that Nigerians already battered by hunger, insecurity, unemployment and declining purchasing power should not be subjected to further hardship.

The Christian elders warned that the patience of Nigerians should not be mistaken for acceptance of “perpetual hardship,” saying millions of families were struggling to survive under mounting living costs.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Elder Sunday Oibe, NOSCEF said further increases in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) would inevitably pile additional pressure on households already grappling with rising living costs.

“We ask Mr. President: How can the government continue to increase the cost of living while millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive?” the group asked.

“NOSCEF therefore calls on the President to urgently reconsider and reverse the latest increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”

The forum said the government must explore alternative and sustainable ways of raising revenue instead of repeatedly transferring additional costs to citizens.

“If the government requires additional revenue to finance its programmes and obligations, it must explore sustainable and less burdensome alternatives rather than repeatedly passing the cost onto citizens who are already struggling to make ends meet,” it said.

The elders urged Tinubu to devote the remaining period of his administration to restoring Nigerians’ purchasing power, creating jobs, tackling insecurity and rehabilitating critical infrastructure.

“We urge President Tinubu to use the remaining period of his administration to focus squarely on addressing the urgent suffering of Nigerians,” NOSCEF said.

The forum said the welfare of citizens should take precedence over political considerations, maintaining that government must respond to prevailing economic difficulties with measures capable of providing tangible relief.

“NOSCEF believes that the welfare of Nigerians must come before political calculations about future elections,” it said.

While acknowledging what it described as efforts by the Tinubu administration in some areas, the forum said persistent economic hardship showed that considerably more needed to be done.

“We acknowledge that the administration has made efforts in some areas. However, the continuing hardship across the country demonstrates that much more needs to be done,” the group said.

NOSCEF also cautioned the President against relying solely on favourable assessments of the economy by government officials and others around him, urging him to pay greater attention to the experiences of ordinary Nigerians.

“We therefore appeal to President Tinubu not to be insulated from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians by praise-singers or officials who may present a more favourable picture of the economy.

“Our members live among the people, worship with them, work with them, and experience their struggles. We cannot pretend not to see what is happening around us,” the group said.

According to the elders, hunger, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructural decay and declining purchasing power have created “a profound sense of uncertainty and hopelessness” among Nigerians.

They consequently called on the Federal Government to urgently review and reverse the latest PMS price increase, introduce measures to reduce the cost of living, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians, strengthen the fight against insecurity and accelerate the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.

“The patience of Nigerians should not be mistaken for acceptance of perpetual hardship,” NOSCEF warned.

“This is the time for government to demonstrate empathy, listen to the people and take decisive action to prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of citizens.”

The forum said the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians should concern leaders at all levels.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the suffering of one Nigerian should concern every responsible leader,” it said.