Coalition Of Civil Society Organizations Carpet President Tinubu Over High Cost Of Living In Nigeria

Peterclaver Egbochue

Concerned over the high cost of living in Nigeria, a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations have carpeted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for not showing enough concern over the plight of the common man on the street who are finding it very difficult to make ends meet.

At a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the coalition blamed the high cost of transportation on the high cost of fuel price in the country occasioned by subsidy removal by President Tinubu at the inception of his administration and he’s yet to address the energy crisis resulting from that policy.

The group wondered why the Tinubu administration has not given Dangote refinery adequate attention so that petroleum products can be refined in the country and eliminate subsidies and the associated corruption.

The coalition also accused President Tinubu of not resolving the security challenges facing the nation, noting that it has led to farmers abandoning the farms resulting in food crisis in the country, a situation which may not abate anytime soon.

Addressing the members, the convener and, national president of the Ambassadors for Peace and Enlightenment Foundation, (AMPEF), Comrade Saviour Iche, submitted that President Tinubu’s administration has failed in his primary responsibility of protecting Nigerians and promoting their economic welfare.

According to him, “the government has worsened the living conditions of Nigerians, the people of the country are becoming poorer because of bad economic policies.”

He accused the President of spending huge funds on items that have no bearing on the lives of Nigerians.

Comrade Iche berated President Tinubu for putting round holes in square pegs in his choice of ministers, adding that the ministers have failed because they do not have competence in ministries they are manning and called on the President to sack non-performing ministers and appoint people who have the competence in specific areas.

The human rights activist wondered why the President would destroy the local rifinery’s equipment rather than licence, equip them properly and increase their capacity to produce more, at least for local consumption.

The coalition described the payment of subsidy as an organized crime, adding that it is an economic crime to export crude oil and import finished petroleum products under shady transactions.

In his contribution, Comrade Olusegun Adeeko, stated that Nigerians are hardworking people and do not need palliatives. “The government should take their palliatives and return fuel prices to where it was,” he stated.

He commended Nigerians who participated in the last protests to protest bad governance and hunger in the country and condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and called on the Federal Government to release the protesters still being detained.

Comrade Daniel Oguine, representing Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and Joint Action Front, in his contribution accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Nigerian judiciary of colluding with politicians to frustrate the people and not allow their votes to count especially in the last presidential election in the country.

Comrade Oguine, posited that democracy would not thrive except the relevant institutions are manned by  morally upright individuals.

Comrade Neye Solomon of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and AMPEF, called on Nigerians to organize and break the tyranny of the politicians, adding that they should direct their questions to their council chairmen and ensure that the funds are not diverted.

He called on the government to ensure that the Dangote Refinery works in order to reduce the cost of fuel in the country.

Also speaking, Comrade Ajimotokin Kunle called on the Federal Government to reduce electricity tariff and reduce the general cost of living in the country.

The coalition used the occasion to celebrate one of its own, Comrade Olusegun Adeeko whose birthday coincided with the conference and wished him well.