By Sani Idris, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), says it would resist the proposed removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria, while threatening mass civil action across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital.
This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the NYCN President, Mr. Isah Abubakar, on Thursday in Kaduna.
He noted that their fear when the subsidy is removed is that any palliative measures put in place for cushioning the effect of the subsidy removal would be looted by corrupt individuals as in the case of the COVID-19 intervention funds.
“We represents the interests of young people in the Northern region of Nigeria, we are very much concern about the potential impact of such a move on the already struggling economy and the Nigerian people,”he said.
According to Abubakar, removing the fuel subsidy would only lead to increase in the cost of living for the average Nigerian, noting that they are already struggling to make ends meet.
He urged the government to focus on implementing policies that would create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“We cannot afford to have another round of hardship inflicted on the Nigerian people, especially the youth who are already grappling with high unemployment rates and a lack of opportunities,” Abubakar said.
He called on the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to remove the subsidy while warning that there would be severe political consequences on those who are conspiring to throw Nigerians into avoidable crisis.
“They should think about how some powerful governors were humiliated in the recently concluded election and understand that power now rests on the thumbs of Nigerians,”he said.
The Council’s President vowed to resist any attempt to remove the fuel subsidy while calling on other youth organizations across the country to join in the fight to protect the interests of the Nigerian people.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
