Our attention has been drawn to a call by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy.
This call, coming at this time when Nigerians are suffering untold hardship as a result of the downturn in global economy is both shocking and disappointing.
It is particularly disturbing that such call was made by a leader of the APC, a party whose leaders were in the forefront of a protest that shook the nation when former President Goodluck Jonathan increased fuel price to N97 per liter a few years ago.
As we speak, more than 15 states are unable to pay their workers as a result of the shortfall in the nation’s earnings.
Without doubt, the removal of the fuel subsidy, which in truth is about the only thing that Nigerians enjoy from the government, will inflict more hardship on hapless Nigerians.
Therefore, any increase in the price of fuel via the removal of subsidy will definitely lead to increase in the prices of food stuff, while transport fares will shoot up, leaving civil servants who are already suffering from the shortfall in government’s allocations to suffer more.
Rather than attempt to remove subsidy, the government should focus its attention on efforts to put our refineries in good shape.
It is a shame that at this age of our national life, Nigeria takes her crude oil to smaller countries like Equatorial Guinea to refine and later bring back same into the country as imported fuel.
Nigerians cannot continue to take the same old story by government that it cannot continue to subsidize the price of fuel, when we all know that that is only little benefit that Nigerians enjoy.
But the truth is that the call for subsidy removal should not surprise any Nigerian with discerning mind.
The government had for some time now drummed it into our ear to prepare for tougher times.
Government has also promised us change, but whatever change Nigerians expect and deserve from President Muhhamadu Buhari should not be to further push them into poverty.
Let President Buhari and all organs of government responsible for production and distribution of oil in the country stop the blame game and go after the disease instead of continuing to treat the symptom, which at all times, have only given us temporary reprieve.
More importantly, it is imperative that the government should know that any attempt to remove subsidy will only benefit the oil marketers, the cartel and all those who have combined to make living hell for Nigerians.
It is also important to remind government that any talk of subsidy in Nigeria is a government magic designed to deceive the people.
If truth be told, it is Nigerians that subsidize the little the government is doing.
Nigerians provide their own power, borehole, security, fill potholes and send their kids to private schools.
These are the problems President Buhari and the government should focus its attention on and not a planned subsidy removal as punishment for Nigerians for voting for him.
Signed
Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams
National Coordiantor, Oodua People’s Congress.