Nigerian Christian Elders Forum Condemns Hunger, Fuel Prices, Tinubu’s Participation In Arab-Islamic Summit

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has issued a harsh critique of the current Nigerian government, citing widespread hunger, exorbitant fuel prices, and a worrying religious imbalance in national policy.

In a strongly worded statement issued today, the Forum, led by Chairman Dr Samuel Danjuma Dani, former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, expressed its concerns about the state of the nation.

The NCEF’s primary concern is the escalating hunger crisis, which it directly associates with widespread corruption.

The organisation accuses security agents manning checkpoints across the country of extorting exorbitant levies from food transporters.

According to the Forum, these illegal fees significantly increase market food prices, exacerbating ordinary Nigerians’ suffering.

The NCEF demands immediate action to dismantle these extortion rings and ensure the uninterrupted flow of food supplies.

“The masses of Nigeria are suffering,” Dr. Dani stated. “The responsibility for resolving this crisis lies with the government. According to Section 14(2)b of the Constitution, the primary purpose of government is to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

Beyond food security, the NCEF expressed deep concern about the rising cost of fuel, citing the elimination of fuel subsidies as a major contributor. While acknowledging the need to combat corruption within the subsidy regime, the Forum believes that the government’s approach has been excessively harsh, resulting in crippling inflation and enormous hardship for citizens.

“An abrupt removal of fuel subsidies without a mitigation plan cannot be lauded as progressive government policy,” the statement reads. The Forum emphasised the dramatic increase in fuel prices from N195 to well over N1,000 per litre in a matter of months, contrasting this with the relatively low minimum wage of N70,000.

The NCEF calls on President Bola Tinubu, who also holds the petroleum portfolio, to reconsider the fuel pricing regime and prioritize the welfare of the citizenry.

The Forum further questioned the seemingly identical pricing of locally refined fuel and imported fuel, suggesting a lack of transparency and potential further exploitation.

The statement also criticises President Tinubu’s participation in the November 2024 Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia.

The NCEF views this participation as a violation of Nigeria’s constitutional secularity, arguing that it sends a misleading message about the country’s religious composition and deepens existing religious divisions.

“The participation of President Tinubu in the Arab-Islamic Summit…is a disturbing signal misrepresenting the constitutional status of Nigeria,” the statement asserts, citing Section 10 of the Constitution, which prohibits the adoption of any religion as a state religion. The Forum urges caution, warning against government actions that could inflame religious tensions.

The NCEF’s statement concludes with a renewed call for the government to uphold its constitutional mandate to prioritize the security and welfare of its citizens.

The Forum, which boasts a significant membership including prominent religious leaders, legal professionals, and retired military officers (a full list is included in the original statement), has signalled its intention to continue to act as a vocal advocate for the Nigerian people amidst the current economic and political turmoil.

The coming months will be crucial in observing the government’s response to these pointed criticisms.