The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has argued that the planned removal of subsidy on petrol, and the consequential increase in the pump price of the product, will worsen the condition of living of most Nigerians.
The Forum, therefore, drew the attention of the Federal government to the hardship under which the vast majority of Nigerians live.
The Director, Publicity, and Advocacy of NEF, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, canvassed the position of the group through a statement he issued on Monday.
The statement said “the Forum invites attention to the hardship under which the vast majority of the population lives.
“Increasing poverty levels and widespread insecurity demand that leaders should exercise extreme caution in taking economic and security-related decisions.
“Increase in the price of fuel, in particular, will compound the already desperate condition of living of most Nigerians.
“It is important that decisions on this matter include considerations of the interests of the national economy, welfare of the citizen, and reactions of a hard-pressed citizenry.