Fuel subsidy: United youth groups back Tinubu, faults NLC on planned strike 

A rights group, Rising-up for a United Nigeria, an umbrella body for all youth groups and middle aged citizens, has thrown their weight behind the decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy.

The group led by Amb. Solomon Adodo, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, kicked against the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

He argued that the decision to remove fuel subsidy was in the best interest of Nigerians, nothing that the announcement of the suspension of fuel subsidy is nothing but a courageous move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 “…It is a bitter pill we have to swallow which shall howbeit cure the long term problems plaguing our constituency, principally unemployment and its twin – poverty. 

“We must therefore resist all overtures to oppose government but rather put on our innovative thinking caps to partner with government out of this temporary storm. All calls for strikes and/or protests should be strongly resisted while vistas of dialogue should be opened for cushioning measure to ease the plight of the masses.

“We must be reminded that the task of building any great nation rests principally on the shoulders of her youth and even though we talk about our heroes past, we are the heroes present that shall rise to build the great Nigeria buoyed by renewed hope for an uncommon transformation of our country to the greatness we so dream of.  

It is Possible and it is our time to make it happen Together.”

The group applauded the decision by President Tinubu to appoint Sen. George Akume and Femi Gbajabiamila as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chief of Staff to the President, respectively.

The group also expressed support for the endorsement of Sen Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President of the 10th national Assembly.

It added: “As we gear up towards the election of the Presiding Officials of the National Assembly, we are hopeful that the Senate particularly will return another promising patriot with uncommon achievements and antecedents in the Person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, CON as President of the Senate. 

“The over one hundred million Nigerian young and middle-aged citizens have overwhelming endorsed Sen. Akpabio as Senate President, having performed creditably throughout his trajectory of leadership as Governor, Senator and Minister,” he stated.