By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The leadership of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNGs) at the weekend paid a courtesy visit to Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South), to show solidarity with the former Senate Chief Whip for his stand against the controversial Tax Reform Bills and other policies they alleged are anti-people by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Recall that since Mr Tinubu took over the mantle of leadership, he pledged to hit the ground running, in which, he removed longstanding fuel subsidy, thereby forcing people to buy Premium Motor Spirit, a.k.a Petrol from about N195 to over N1000 per litre with a resultant increase in price of goods and services in the last one and half year.

Additionally, the President sent a Tax Reforms Bill which is before the national assembly, a situation which received a wider condemnation, with Senator Ndume as one of the strongest Nigerian Lawmakers that opposed the Bill publicly and on several fora.

Addressing Ndume on Saturday, the Deputy Chairman Board of Trustee (BOT), Mallam Aminu Adam, and the National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi who led other Executive Members of the CNGs said, the coalition which is non-partisan deemed it necessary to pay a visit to the Southern Borno Senator who has distinguished himself as a true representative of the masses, especially Northern people who gave their massive support and votes that produced Tinubu as President in the last 2023 general elections.

The Coalition lamented that apart from an increase in prices of basic needs, social infrastructures such as electricity tariffs and interest rates were increased, stressing that the recent approval for an increase in telecommunications calls and communication services granted to service providers is also uncalled for.

They alleged that, in just less than two years of Tinubu led-APC Government, average people, especially those from the Northern parts of the country have not felt the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda, because, apart from the exorbitant rise in prices of commodities in the market, many people find it very difficult to have access to basic healthcare, education among others due to inflation, not to talk of even have two square meal per day.

“We are here purposely to appreciate you (Senator Ndume) for always standing and speaking the minds of the common man in Nigeria.

“You are elected to represent the people of Southern Borno, but because of your concern and passion for the masses, you have stood out to be the best Senator not only in the North but to the entire Country.

“We want to align with you and will continue to give you our maximum support and cooperation in the course of saying nothing but the truth, particularly when it is associated with criticising bad policies and programmes of the Government”.

Responding, Senator Ndume thanked the delegation of the CNGs for the visit, even as he enjoined them to be law-abiding, and continue to be patient with the present administration, as according to him, he will continue to provide constructive criticism and offer needed advice(s) to the government for progress and development at all levels.

Other members of the CNGs’ delegation are the National Secretary General, Engr. Hamza Muktar, Dr. Muhammed Nawaili, Dr Aminu Nasanye, Muhammad Muhammad, Hussaini Ibrahim, Muhammad Eneji and Abdurazak Adamu who hold positions of Directorship in various levels at the Coalition