A group of civil society organizations in Kano on Saturday called on the Federal Government to reverse the fuel subsidy regime.
In a statement endorsed by all the 45 civil society organizations and made available to newsmen, the group said it is deeply concerned with the economic hardship faced by the citizens of Nigeria, particularly the impact on the underprivileged.
The Group believes that the recent removal of fuel subsidy is a major contributing factor to this hardship the everyday Nigerian is facing today.
The statement reads;
We are a Group of Civil Society Organizations working in various fields of human endeavour in Kano State and beyond. The Group is deeply concerned with the economic hardship faced by the citizens of Nigeria, particularly the impact on the underprivileged.
The Group believes that the recent removal of fuel subsidy is a major contributing factor to this hardship, among other multifactorial reasons. Since removing the fuel subsidies, social unrest, poverty, and inflation have been on the rise aggressively. Living standards of the underprivileged Nigerians who are the majority are massively falling.
Costs of food, education, and healthcare which are the necessities of life are almost unattainable for the average Nigerian.
Studies have shown that since the removal of fuel subsidies, transportation fares have shot up by over 200%. More families are experiencing unbearable hardship; children are crying massively because of hunger, and millions of parents weep profusely every day at their children’s despair.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report in 2023, inflation for May 2023 increased by 4.70% compared to May 2022. Additionally, the month-on-month inflation rate for May 2023 was 0.03% higher than in April 2023.
On the other hand, the food inflation rate of 24.82% in May rose to 25.25% and 26.98% at the end of June and July, respectively. This trend indicates that removing subsidies has contributed to a persistent rise in inflation and food rates.
Unfortunately, the social cushioning and protection measures by the government more recently have been marred with alleged corruption while short-changing the potential beneficiaries who ideally are the poor Nigerians.
In light of this, we urgently call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to without delay return fuel subsidies and also rescind other anti-poor policies within the next two weeks. Failing this, the Group is prepared to stage a mega protest to voice the collective concerns of the citizens affected by these ill-timed policies.
The Group emphasizes the importance of policies prioritizing all Nigerians’ well-being, especially the most vulnerable. The return of fuel subsidies and the review of anti-poor policies are crucial steps towards alleviating the economic burden on the citizens.
We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant authorities to engage in constructive dialogue and take swift action to address these pressing issues.
The Group remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of the people and will continue to pursue peaceful and impactful means to achieve these objectives.
Endorsed by:
1. Abdullahi Y. Sule – Youth and Environmental Development Association (YEDA)
2. Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq. – Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN)
3. Mohammed Bello – African Centre for Innovative Research and Development (Afri-CIRD)
4. Adeniyi Aremu – Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN)
5. Comrade Bala Abdullahi Gaduwama – Wuro Development Concerns (WDCN)
6. Dr. Mohamamed Mustapha Yahaya – Democratic Action Group (DAG)
7. Comrade A. A. Haruna Ayagi – Human Rights Network of Nigeria (HRN)
8. Comrade Hassan Musa Yaro – Cardinal Aid Development Support Initiative
9. A’isha Haruna Kabuga – Women for Development and Empowerment
10. Umar Saleh Anka – Centre for Environment and Rural Development (CERD)
12. Isiyaku Ahmed – Voice and Accountability Platform (VAP)
11. Comrade Idris Ibrahim Unguwar Gini – Kano Youth Promotion Council (KYPC)
13. Comrade Ali Waliy – Network for Environmental Safety and Society Development (NESSD)
14. Comrade Salisu Gambo Deetol – Youth Mobilization by Media (YMBM)
15. Comrade Fatima A. Ibrahim – United Action for Democracy (UAD), Kano State
16. Muhammad Yahaya – Youth Empowerment and Human Development (YEHDI)
17. Abba Bello Ahmed – Campaign for Democracy (CD), Kano State
18. Comrade Sani Ibrahim Narogo – Joint Action Front (JAF), Kano State
19. Comrade Rukayya Abdulrahman – Alkhairi Orphanage and Women Development (AOWD)
20. A’isha Yakubu Maijama’a – Women Leadership in Nigeria
21. Comrade Mohammed Sani Garba – Pay it Forward Initiative
22. Barr. Badiha A. Mu’az – RADA
23. Ambassador Usman Musa Danmari – KASYADAREC
24. Yusuf Lawan Babale – Network for Justice
25. Fatima Muhammad – Nigerian Environmental Society (NES)
26. Aminu Sani Muhammad, Esq. – ROLJAN
27. Fatima Badamasi Ibrahim – Gender Support and Youth Empowerment Initiative (GENSAYE)
28. Ibrahim Saleh Muhammad – NACCRAN
29. Comrade Hadiza A. Kishimi – OGP
30. Buhari Abubakar Usman – Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid (CELOHA)
31. Musa Kaila – Grassroot Development for the Disadvantaged Group
32. Abdullahi Zakari – Tauraruwa Awareness and Development Association
33. Abdullahi Yahaya, Esq. – Publish What You Pay (PWYP), Kano State
34. Hafiz A. Wali, Esq. – Rise Up Youth Initiative (RUYI)
35. Sagiru Ado Abubakar – Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Kano State
36. Comrade Auwal Salisu – Centre for Awareness Reorientation and Empowerment (CARE-Africa)
37. Umar Isa Sulaiman, Esq. – Frontier for Gender Advocacy, Accountability & Empowerment Initiative
38. Umar Ibrahim Umar – War Against Injustice (WAI)
39. Fatima Musa Aliyu – Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI)
40. Kabiru Ahmed – Neighbourhood Centre for Munnity Development Intervention Support (NCCDIS)
41. Salisu Yusuf – Partnership for the Promotion of Maternal Child Health (PPMCH)
42. Maryam Garba Usman – Centre for Gender and Social Inclusion (CAGSI)
43. Dinatu Dama Maji – Kasham Girls, Women, Youth and Community Development Network
44. Isah Wada Suleiman – Promoting Literacy and Awareness Forum, Tudun Wada
45. Fatima Chabir Aliyu, Esq. – Community-Based Equal Justice Initiative
