Hardship Worsens: Rev. Fr. Mbaka Demands Return of Fuel Subsidy, Warns of Looming Danger

In a passionate address, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to reinstate the fuel subsidy, warning of potential nationwide unrest due to the growing hardship caused by its removal.

Speaking during a Sunday service themed “Miracle of Open Doors,” Mbaka criticized the government’s handling of the economy and the impact of the subsidy removal on ordinary Nigerians. He emphasized that the decision has led to unbearable suffering for the masses, with fuel prices skyrocketing and the cost of living spiraling out of control.

Mbaka warned that unless the government takes immediate steps to address the economic crisis, protests could erupt across the country. “Nobody can stop the looming protest when it starts,” he said. The priest urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consult experts and find solutions to the country’s economic problems.

He lamented the mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources, noting that despite the country’s wealth in oil and natural resources, citizens are struggling to survive. “We cannot continue like this,” he stressed, calling out the government for failing to use Nigeria’s wealth to benefit the people.

Mbaka also raised concerns about the rising cost of basic commodities and services, with many Nigerians unable to afford necessities like food, fuel, and healthcare. He cautioned that the growing economic disparity could lead to an increase in crime and social unrest.

In his speech, Mbaka urged the government to lower interest rates for producers and industrialists, as the current economic policies were indirectly fueling insecurity. He called for a focus on industrialization, power supply, and job creation to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

“If the removal of subsidy means enriching governors while the masses suffer, then the subsidy should be reinstated,” Mbaka declared, adding that the government’s failure to act would result in consequences beyond politics.

The cleric also pointed to the deteriorating spiritual and moral fabric of society, warning that the current hardship was affecting not just livelihoods but also the faith of the people. He called on political leaders to act with compassion and responsibility, using their power to ease the suffering of Nigerians.

Fr. Mbaka concluded by urging the government to address the concerns of the people before it’s too late, emphasizing that a collective effort was needed to avert a national crisis.