ACF Cites Tinubu Govt Policies as Cause for Declining Living Standards and Unemployment

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)

The ACF remarked that the average citizen continues to face difficult and challenging times, dealing daily with inflation, unemployment, and a swift decline in living standards, along with insurgency, terrorism, and banditry.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a prominent Northern group, has expressed concern that certain policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration are contributing to the worsening standard of living, inflation, and unemployment in Nigeria.

The organization cautioned that without intervention, Nigeria, particularly the northern region, could face social unrest due to the severe economic conditions.

These observations were made following the ACF's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday.

The ACF remarked that the average citizen continues to face difficult and challenging times, dealing daily with inflation, unemployment, and a swift decline in living standards, along with insurgency, terrorism, and banditry.

In a statement released by the Forum's National Spokesman, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF described the situation as dire, acute, and chronic in some areas, notably in the North.

The group attributed the economic difficulties primarily to the federal government's removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of new taxes and levies, which have led to a rapid decrease in citizens' living conditions.

The statement from the NEC expressed deep concern over the ongoing deterioration and increase in insecurity-related incidents across the northern states' geopolitical zones.

The ACF reiterated its previous stance that if these issues remain unchecked, they could lead to widespread discontent and social turmoil.

The statement also highlighted concerns about increasing regional disparities in social and demographic factors, such as access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic participation, and political involvement. The ACF urged the government to address these disparities to prevent Nigeria from becoming a divided nation.

The ACF has repeatedly called for immediate and decisive government action at all levels to address the sharp decline in citizens' living conditions. The imposition of additional taxes and levies is becoming increasingly onerous for ordinary Nigerians, and there is a clear need for public policy initiatives to tackle the challenges of low purchasing power.

Specifically, in the Northern states, the NEC noted that citizens are continually faced with runaway inflation, unemployment, and a rapid decline in living standards amidst ongoing security challenges.

The immediate causes of these issues have been attributed to recent government policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the devaluation of the Naira, and significant increases in the cost of electricity, along with rising tariffs and taxes, which contrast with public officials' perceived wasteful spending.

While acknowledging efforts by federal, state, and local governments to address these issues, the ACF stated that the public policy response has been largely weak and ineffective.

The ACF calls on citizens to support the government and pray for divine intervention to bring about a prosperous Nigeria characterized by justice, equity, love, righteousness, and hope, replacing the current despair.

The ACF also urges public officials to avoid wasteful and reckless spending of public funds and continues to support Nigeria's security forces in their efforts to combat criminality and instability, hoping for their success against insurgents, terrorists, and bandits. The ACF concludes with a blessing for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Related Posts: