AYAGL to hold simultaneous protests over fuel prices, demands NMDPRA chief’s resignation

By Mukhtar Sagir Dambatta

The Arewa Youths Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) has notified police of peaceful protests over rising fuel prices nationwide.

In a letter dated Sept. 21 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the group said the protests would hold simultaneously in Abuja, Sokoto and Bauchi on Thursday, Sept. 24. The letter was signed by Alhaji Danbature Abdul-Hamid, President, Arewa Youths Assembly for Good Leadership.

The assembly said the demonstrations would begin at 8:00 a.m. in the three northern geopolitical zones, with Abuja representing the North Central, Sokoto the North-West and Bauchi the North East.

It said more than 100 affiliated youth, civil society and community organisations were expected to participate in the protests.

According to the group, petrol prices in some parts of Northern Nigeria had risen to between N1,700 and nearly N2,000 per litre, causing hardship and affecting commercial activities and household expenses.

The assembly also called for the resignation or removal of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), accusing the authority of regulatory failure.

AYAGL further demanded urgent government intervention to reduce fuel prices and improve affordability for Nigerians.

The group said it was exercising its constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression and pledged that the demonstrations would remain peaceful, lawful and organised.

It also requested adequate police security and crowd control measures at the three locations to prevent the protests from being hijacked by criminal elements or agents provocateurs.