Northern traditional rulers and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) raised concerns about the economic hardship in the country following the fuel subsidy removal, leading to increased transport costs and food inflation. Both groups urged the Federal Government to address the situation promptly. President Bola Tinubu is set to hold a closed-door meeting with state governors to find solutions to the economic crisis.
Presidency officials stated that the meeting with governors would precede President Tinubu’s departure to Ethiopia for the African Union meeting. Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and an aide to Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State confirmed the planned meeting. However, the Presidency criticized governors for failing to pay salaries, pensions, and the N30,000 minimum wage.
Protests erupted in various parts of the country, with citizens demanding solutions to the high cost of living. Organized labor also threatened to strike by February 23 if the government failed to provide palliatives to mitigate economic challenges.
At the sixth executive committee meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, chaired by Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar lll, concerns were raised about deteriorating socio-economic conditions and insecurity. The Sultan emphasized that poverty and insecurity were twin challenges that, if not urgently addressed
