• APC blames opposition for mass protest in Minna, Kano
• IPAC, CUPP fault ruling party’s bulk-passing

Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), yesterday, expressed deep concern over the continuous rise in prices of essential commodities in the country, and sought urgent intervention by the government. 

  
The coalition, in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, lamented that the soaring costs of food and other necessities left Nigerians in despair, struggling to provide for their families.
 
 He said: “Inaction on the part of the Consumer Protection Board, which should safeguard the interest of the people, has only worsened the situation, fuelling frustration and anger among citizens. This inaction aggravated the suffering, while a privileged few continue to live in opulence. It is disheartening to witness such a stark contrast between the elite and the suffering masses, and it is high time resources were utilised for the benefit of all citizens.
  
“The exorbitant hike in food prices in Nigeria is not a result of natural market forces, but the self-serving interests of the unscrupulous elite. The elite manipulated the forex market, causing a scarcity of foreign exchange and subsequently driving up the cost of importing essential food items.”
  
CNG is of the belief that the individuals responsible for the current hardship are those who have historically received substantial unregulated allocations of foreign currencies from the government.
  
It added: “However, with the government now closing the doors on such practices, these individuals have resorted to manipulating commodity prices to maintain their profits.”
  
The coalition, therefore, called for urgent intervention of the government to address the problem, adding that failure to take appropriate action might result in chaos.

MEANWHILE, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed opposition political parties for the mass protests in Minna and Kano metropolis.
APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement, yesterday, claimed that the protests bear a bold stamp of an orchestrated and coordinated effort to instigate unrest and undermine the government.  
  
The party urged well-meaning Nigerians to be vigilant and not lend themselves to “the treacherous attempt by the opposition to promote social strife by its incendiary rhetoric and manipulative plots.”
  
It assured of President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to mitigate the hardship due to reforms that are crucial for economic recovery and sustainable prosperity of the country.

BUT Inter Parliamentary Advisory Council (IPAC) faulted APC’s bulk-passing that the mass protests in parts of the country was orchestrated by members of opposition bent on undermining the Tinubu administration.

Coalition of United Political parties (CUPP) also threw its weight behind Nigerians aggrieved with the high cost of living in the country. IPAC chairman, Yabagi Sani, in a chat with The Guardian, in Abuja, frowned on the APC for blaming the opposition over the protestations in Minna and Kano.

“That is a political statement. If the same people that supported the party are the ones complaining about the hardship in the country, they cannot be accused of sabotaging the government. The government should do the needful and make the people feel democracy dividends. That is what the people are saying. People are simply telling the government that things are not working as they expect, and as a government, they should think out of the box. The government has the resources. We expect solutions to the challenges. Where would this conspiracy come from, if all is well?” he queried.

CUPP’s National Secretary, Peter Ameh, blamed the removal of fuel subsidy for the hardships. He advised: “Make sure all the refineries are maintained and working properly to stop whatever cost the country incurs from importing finished products of crude oil. This will also stop the hidden corruption and its attendant effect on our people.

“Turning Nigeria into a working economy would have really helped to create jobs that enable the poor to breathe under such circumstances.”