The Coalition of Northern Groups has demanded from the federal government, immediate suspension of the recent increase in pump price of petrol and electricity tariff or face a nationwide protest.
Spokesman of the group,Abdul -Azeez Suleiman made the statement while addressing a news conference in Kaduna on Friday.
Suleiman stated that the coalition would mobilise for a mass protest if the federal governmenr fails to revert to the old pump price of fuel.
He said that the present admiistration had promised on inception that it would address the economy and fix security challenges,but ,it’s handling of its change agenda leaves much to be desired as there is “an immiinent drift towards poverty and the likelihood of the setting in of anarchy “
According to the group, ” the government’s management of an economy already adjudged in a second recession,is characterised by significant loss of output,massive youth unemplyment,a rising level of poverty,instability and irregular migration of skilled and unskilled labour.”
The Coalition explained that “despite the administration,’s claims to fighting a war against corruption,the entrenchment of mediocrity has left the country worse than it was five years ago in the global corruption perception index. That the present administration has been tolerated for too long even with its level of impunity in the dispatch of goods and services which gravely endanger the peace,unity and development of the country “
The group further said the administration’s impunity which climaxed with hikes in fuel pump prices and electricty tariffs has had adverse effects on ,”essentials like foodstuff and foreign exchange rates have resulted in exponential escalation of inflation ,despair,crime and criminality”adding “We will put the public on the alert for a possible prolonged nationwide resistance in the likely event of government opting to grandstand “
