Jama’atul Nasril Islam and Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, on Friday, urged the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and state governors to find solution to inflation, poverty, and insecurity bedeviling the country before the situation worsens.
Both JNI and CAN, in separate statements, also expressed concern over the prevailing economic hardship and the increasing food crisis in the country.
Secretary-General of Northern CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe, in a statement issued on Friday, said the high cost of foodstuffs, transportation, goods, and services has made life difficult for most Nigerians.
CAN noted that the suffering in the country was becoming unbearable for ordinary Nigerians.
It expressed regret that the epileptic power supply has led to the collapse of many small businesses, adding that the continued decline in the value of the naira and the seeming inability of the government to address the situation has completely weakened the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.
The CAN statement read, “The situation is further compounded by escalating insecurity occasioned by rampant killings and kidnapping for ransom. Government must take urgent steps to address the depressing economic and escalating security situation in the country.
“Northern CAN also noted the rampaging activities of bandits in Plateau state and other parts of the country in recent times. We are saddened by the attacks by bandits in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau where many people were killed and several houses burnt barely a month after several communities in Barakin Ladi, Bokkos, and the same Mangu, were raided by bandits resulting in the killings of over 300 people.
“The government must do everything possible to stop the killings not only in Plateau but across the country. These killings have continued because the perpetrators have never been brought to justice.
“We have continued to wonder why the government has not been able to hold anybody accountable for the mass killings going on in the country.
“Unless justice is done, by ensuring that the perpetrators and whoever are the sponsors are brought to book, all the talks about peace may be mere rhetoric.”
The religious group urged Nigerians to support the present administration to overcome the eight years of “calamity and retrogression of the failed administration” of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
CAN also called on President Tinubu to settle down and squarely tackle these challenges so that Nigeria will bounce back.
Similarly, the JNI in a statement by its Secretary-General, Prof Khalid Abubakar, described the current trying time ordinary Nigerians are experiencing, occasioned by food insecurity, inflation, abject poverty, and insecurity, as distressing which calls for serious redress.
The Islamic body said, “The JNI, under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, with all sense of responsibility, calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to urgently intervene over the difficulties Nigerians are passing through.
“This call is made over the exhilarating pains citizens are airing in both print and electronic media, inclusive of social media, wherein Minna, Niger State, Lokoja, Kogi State Protests, and other dissenting concerns are being raised.
“In light of the troubling impact of hoarding and inflation on the availability and affordability of essential goods and services, particularly food items, the JNI is therefore compelled to raise its voice on the matter.”
As Muslim fasting period of Ramadan approaches, the JNI also implored the business community to resist the temptation of hoarding for selfish gains, urging them to rather “make essential commodities more affordable by lowering prices, to serve as an act of charity for them. Let us emulate the generosity of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by being more generous and kind, especially during Ramadan.”