By George Mgbeleke

Alarmed at the rising cost living in country, a Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone has expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in the prices of petrol, food items, goods, and essential services across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by COSEYL President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem and made available to Journalists on Tuesday, the group said the current economic situation in the country has placed unbearable hardship on millions of Nigerians who are already struggling to meet their daily needs.

The statement reads in part, “In recent times, the price of petrol has reportedly risen from about ₦900 to as high as ₦1500 per litre in several parts of the country. This sharp increase has triggered an astronomical rise in the cost of transportation, food, goods, and services.

” Similarly, the prices of diesel and other petroleum products have also increased significantly, further worsening the economic pressure on businesses and households.

“These developments have created a situation where the cost of living continues to rise daily, while the salaries and incomes of citizens remain largely static. Many Nigerians can no longer afford basic necessities such as food, transportation, and healthcare. Small businesses are also struggling to survive due to the high cost of energy and logistics.”

COSEYL noted with serious concern that if urgent measures are not taken to address this situation, the economic hardship facing Nigerians may deepen further and lead to severe social consequences.

“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. Such measures should include policies aimed at stabilizing the price of petroleum products, strengthening the value of the naira, supporting local production, and providing relief programs for citizens and small businesses.

“We also urge the Federal Government to engage relevant stakeholders in developing sustainable solutions that will reduce the cost of living and restore hope to Nigerians.

“Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources and hardworking citizens. What Nigerians need at this critical time is responsive leadership and practical economic policies that will ease the burden on the people.

“The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders remains committed to promoting peace, unity, and constructive engagement in national development. We believe that with urgent intervention, the current economic challenges can be addressed for the benefit of all Nigerians,” it noted.

ADC Condemns Maiduguri Bomb Blasts, AppealsTinubu to return home.
-Says President should focus less on politics.

By George Mgbeleke

Saddened by the increasing insecurity in parts of the country,African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the bomb blasts that struck Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday night leaving 23 people dead and hundreds others injured. In a statement issued on Tuesday by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed sympathy with the victims and their families.
The ADC also raised concerns about what it described as a lack of leadership focus at a critical moment, noting that President Bola Tinubu is currently outside the country while senior officials responsible for national security are reportedly engaged in partisan political activities. According to the ADC, the protection of lives and property must take precedence over political distractions and diplomatic ceremonies. It therefore calls on President Tinubu to urgently return to the country and attend to his primary job of protecting lives.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the bomb blasts that have shaken Maiduguri, Borno State, leaving innocent Nigerians dead and many others injured.

Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the people of Maiduguri, a city that has endured more than its fair share of pain over the years. Terrorism anywhere in Nigeria is an attack on all Nigerians. At moments like this, the country must stand together with the people who have been affected.

We commend the courage of first responders and security personnel who are working to assist the injured and restore calm. But this tragic incident also raises the persistent questions about the state of security in our country. Maiduguri, which in recent years had begun to experience a measure of stability after the darkest days of the insurgency, should not be returning to a situation where coordinated bomb attacks once again threaten the safety of ordinary citizens going about their daily lives.
Moments like this demand the full and undivided attention of the nation’s leadership. It is therefore troubling that the President is currently outside the country at a time when such a serious attack on national security occurred.
At a time when Nigerian soldiers and civilians are being wilfully killed by terrorists, those charged with protecting the country are focused on politics of self-succession. The National Security Adviser is going after opposition figures and calling bandits his “brothers”, while the Minister of Defence is on television planning the APC national convention. This is not leadership. It is a dangerous distraction, and it is costing lives.

In case this government has forgotten, those being killed by terrorists are not just numbers. Those soldiers being mowed down by bandits are people’s children, husbands, fathers and families. In any serious country, a devastating security breach would command the full attention of government. Leaders would return home, address the nation, and take responsibility.
Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is abroad, exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen of England while Nigerians mourn and soldiers are being buried. Not a word has been spared for the victims or the brave soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of Nigeria. The oath of office is clear, the primary duty of government is the protection of lives, and that duty is certainly not being met by this APC government.
The protection of lives and property is the most basic responsibility of any government. It cannot be treated as secondary to political distractions or competing priorities. The ADC therefore calls on President Tinubu to return immediately to the country and show, for once, that he cares about something else other than his politics.
We also think it is about time that government started to take full responsibilities for every life lost that could have been protected by paying compensation to the families of victims, whether military or civilians. Although no amount of money can fully compensate for a lost life, but by penalising itself this way, government would have started to accept responsibility.
It is no longer enough for government to merely issue condolences and condemnations. It is its first job to protect lives. And Nigeria cannot continue on a path where the loss of lives becomes routine. We are only in the third month of the year, and already thousands of Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks across the country, while the President continues to make merry, enjoying the sweetness of the only thing he truly cares about: politics. This is unacceptable, as it is condemnable.

*PUBLIC NOTICE*

*HallowMace Africa Opens Voting Portal For The National Legislative Awards 2026: Call For Public Participation*

Following the successful unveiling of the maiden edition of The National Legislative Awards 2026, HallowMace Foundation Africa, in collaboration with its partners, the International Goodwill Ambassador Club, ERGAF Africa, and the Isabella Ayuk Foundation, is pleased to announce the official opening of the voting portal for the general public.

In line with our commitment to credibility, transparency, and citizen participation, the voting process has been designed to empower Nigerians to actively scorecard their representatives. This exercise is critical to identifying the Three Most Outstanding Legislators per Geo-Political Zone across both chambers of the National Assembly.

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