The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has issued a stark warning to the Nigerian government, cautioning against an imminent collapse of the nation due to escalating economic hardship, poverty, and insecurity.
In a strongly worded statement read by Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, at a press conference, the CNG urged President Tinubu to reassess his economic team and adopt a more humane approach to address the suffering of Nigerians.
“The suffering of Nigerians is palpable across every stratum,” the CNG stated. “The current economic indices and data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics paint an ugly picture of our reality, with 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and 20 million people either unemployed or underemployed.”
The CNG criticized the government’s economic policies, describing them as “anti-people” and “trial-and-error.”
They lamented the increase in interest rates, which they believe will further devastate the economy and diminish job prospects. The group also expressed concern over the depreciation of the naira, the surge in inflation, and the skyrocketing electricity tariff.
“We reject the plan to increase fuel prices to fund the new national minimum wage,” the CNG stated. “Instead, we urge the government to explore humane and innovative alternatives such as reducing wasteful expenditure and high cost of governance, tackling corruption, and increasing taxes on luxury goods.”
The CNG warned that the current situation portends an imminent massive revolt of citizens against the government, urging President Tinubu to summon the political will and courage to address the root causes of the problems.
“Cosmetic measures are not sufficient to contain the raging anger of the people,” the CNG cautioned.
“We pray that Almighty Allah endows you with the needed political will and divine wisdom to listen to the cries of the people and steer the ship of the nation with compassion and unstinting humane disposition”, the Coaliton said.
The CNG concluded, “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”
