#EndBadGovernance Protest: Northern Youth Urge States, LGAs, To Review Economic Policies, Palliatives Distribution Structures

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals have praised President Tinubu’s administration for the significant revenue savings achieved since the removal of the fuel subsidy, advising states and local government areas to review economic policies and palliatives distribution structures.

According to a statement signed by the association’s Chairman, Isaac Abrak, “The redirection of these funds towards enhancing the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly the less privileged, is a testament to the President’s genuine intention to end the misappropriation of trillions of naira by a select few oil cabals under the guise of paying oil subsidies.”

Abrak stated, “However, the recent national protest tagged #EndBadGovernance has highlighted that despite these efforts, state and local governments have yet to efficiently utilise these funds to improve the lives of Nigerians, particularly the very poor. This reality necessitates an urgent review by state governors and local government chairmen of the mechanisms used to administer these funds and distribute palliatives.

“Interestingly, this protest has revealed youth and community leaders who can be integrated into these structures to ensure that the impact of these funds and other forms of palliatives, such as food commodities, reaches those in greatest need.”

He continued, “Last month, in July, while protesters were organising, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N1.354 trillion, with states receiving N461.979 billion and local governments receiving N337.019 billion. Between January and May this year, a total of N10.13 trillion was distributed among federal, state, and local governments, a 179% increase over the same period in 2023. These disbursements are broken down as follows: N1.88 trillion for the federal government, N2.05 trillion for state governments, and N1.41 trillion for local governments.

“To ensure that food reaches the tables of ordinary Nigerians, President Tinubu dispatched 20 trucks of rice to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with each truck carrying approximately 1,200 bags of 25kg rice. The administration also released 102,000 metric tonnes of grains from the National Food Reserve, which included maize, millet, and garri. This distribution is intended to alleviate the food crisis and high commodity prices. Despite these efforts, the desired results have yet to be achieved, heightening national frustration.

“It is critical that state governors immediately review their economic policies and distribution structures to ensure that palliative care reaches those in need. While it is easy to point the finger at state governors, the leadership of distribution networks, including religious bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria and Jama’a tu Nasril Islam, traditional rulers, civil society groups, professional organisations, and youth and student unions, must also take responsibility. These organisations must critically examine and improve their internal distribution systems.

“Subnational governments must avoid politicising palliative care distribution and governance in general, as evidenced by recent protests that affect us all. Individuals motivated by selfishness, greed, and a lack of integrity must be actively removed from administering government intervention programs, particularly at the grassroots level.”

Abrak suggested that “President Tinubu should continue to embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity to do more, while we all must self-examine and strive to improve our characters and roles as followers and citizens in moving our country forward. Members of the National and State Assemblies should reconsider their pay and benefits, which have long been criticised as excessively generous.”

He stated, “We, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals, urge the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE Protesters to end their protest and join other stakeholders in working together to ensure that the benefits of subsidy removal reach every Nigerian, particularly the most vulnerable among us.”