Following the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has cautioned the Federal Government not to take Nigerians’ patience over hardship for granted.

The President General of the forum, Yerima Shettima, while reacting to the fuel price increase, said it is now becoming clearer that the present government may have lost touch with the reality on the ground for not addressing this acute economic problem.

He said, “For the same government that appealed to Nigerians not to embark on protest with the promise to make life better, to all of a sudden wake up to add to the pains of her people is rather unfortunate.

“Even the blind can see the hard situation and the deaf can also hear that the poverty and absolute hunger in the country are unbelievable, and now to add to it is certainly a high level of insensitivity and must be addressed accordingly.”

Shettima stressed that the prices of foodstuffs are no longer within the reach of an ordinary Nigerian, noting that “it is now clear that the increase in minimum wage to N70,000 is nothing but deceit because, with the reality on the ground, it cannot meet the needs of one person, let alone a family, and now the said money can barely cover for their transportation to the workplaces in a month.”

He said, “For me, the Federal Government should have a rethink on the numerous challenges; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must allow Nigerians to breathe because with the situation of things now, angry and hungry Nigerians are further being pushed to the wall, and the reaction of a hungry and angry person may be unimaginable.”

He therefore called on the government, whose primary responsibility is the welfare and well-being of its citizens, to live up to its responsibilities and let Nigerians feel the positive impact of the renewed agenda by making life and living better for Nigerians.

“The sudden increase in the price of petrol has already created a multiplying effect on prices of not only foodstuffs but in several other areas such as transportation, among others.”

He further urged the Federal Government to urgently do the needful to avoid revolt from Nigerians and should, as a matter of urgency, give the well-being and welfare of Nigerians priority. (Saturday Guardian)

•People wait to refill their jerrycans and fuel tanks at a fuel station in Lagos on September 4, 2024. – Already desperate with inflation, soaring food costs and a battered naira currency, Nigerians grappled on September 4, 2024 with widespread fuel scarcities and a decision by the state oil company to increase pump prices.

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