OBJECTIVITY IS THE MOTIVE AND NIGERIA IS THE PRICE! BY SADIQ UMAR ABDULLAHI; Bsc, LLb, MA, BL, Ph.D, Esq

Saturday, 14 May 2016

The removal of subsidy has led to a rapid increase of fuel price all across the country. Although people have different opinions and reservations about the government’s decision to implement a policy that is long over due, it has also given birth for new initiatives, business strategies and opportunities as well. The government has backed its decision of implementing such a drastic policy because of the funds which amounts to billions by subsidizing petroleum products that has proven to be ineffective and privileges being enjoyed by only a few Nigerian's as opposed to the entire nation. 

However, in the interest of fairness, the hypocrisy, biased and unfair judgment by so many citizens in the country cannot be overlooked. Looking back in hindsight or in retrospect, on the first of January 2012, President "GOODLUCK EBELE JOHNATHAN'S" administration attempted to implement the same policy which the price was even lower than what the present government imposed by removing subsidy and to sell PMS at 141 Naira per liter, whereas, the new government is selling at 145 Naira per litre which is more alarming. It is no secret that there were people that only wanted to tarnish the reputation of the previous government at all cost because of the same policy.

Pressure groups, activists, NGO's and CLO's such as the "NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS" and another group called "OCCUPY NIGERIA". They all came out with full force and brought the country to a complete stand still, with every sector of the economy being affected and inoperative. Having said that, one has to wonder where all those pressure groups are today. Have they vanished into thin air or were their actions in the previous government purely politically, financially and hypocritically motivated? Or have they all of the sudden become educated about the positivity that comes with the removal of subsidy? Where is the "NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS" and where are the so called "OCCUPY NIGERIA" and other pressure groups that were so enthusiastic and portrayed as defenders of the masses and the rights conferred on them by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Have their hearts, ambitions and resilience been demoralized or do they simply not care about what the government does in terms of their social welfare and that of the masses. It seems like the NLC and other pressure groups were only active for the payment of remaining silent while the masses were being extorted, which is why they have still remained silent, knowing fully well that the man in charge and his government will not pay any amount to keep them quiet and on lockdown, while the previous governments did so as means and strategies of corrupting the nation.

As opined by Senator Shehu Sani, on his Twitter page, stating, "It amounts to capitulation and outright deception for those of us who led millions of people, out in the street, few years ago against pump price increase and to now give economic excuses to justify same. The moral flag we raised in the past is now the scale of Justice to measure the degree of our conscience in the present". To all the wailers, the opposition and saboteurs, that is what happens when a "RIGHTEOUS, HUMBLE, INCORRUPTIBLE AND CREDIBLE LEADER TAKES THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP".

However, that wasn't the deal between President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian's when he was voted to lead the country in March 2015. In the interest of fairness, there are a few other things the President needs to do for the masses and the country as a whole. The same way "ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU" publicly told the State Minister of Petroleum to apologize and listen to the voices of the masses because of the deterioration and desperate situation of the country as a result of insufficient supply of petroleum products. It will depict a positive sign of good leadership if PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI,(GCFR) and the State Minister of Petroleum,"Mr  IBE KACHUKWU" would also apologize to Nigerian's for not implementing such a policy at the right time and having waited for so long to do so. The government should have provided incentives in order to have an alternative while the policies are being implemented in phases. President Muhammadu Buhari might not demand an apology from the British Prime Minister here referred to as "MR DAVID CAMRON", for saying there are some fantastically corrupt countries the will be attending the "ANTI CORRUPTION SUMMIT in the United Kingdom, but Nigerian's do however, require an apology for the promises they have made but are unable to fulfill due to how they underestimated the problems in Nigeria after they emerged into power as the new governing administration.

The removal of subsidy on petroleum products has its advantages and disadvantages but advisably, only the former should be concentrated on, because the latter has long been ignored and relegated to the pages of history and considered to be economic errors as argued by some experts in the petroleum sector. Lack of petroleum products is not a new thing to Nigerian's as they are already used to it and it happens at least 3 times a year for decades. The masses are already used to it and there is no form of sectoral decadence that is new to the citizens of the country. Nigerian's have bought fuel at the price of 250 Naira per litre in some parts of the country and 180 per litre in other parts of the country but yet, people are behaving as if this sort of problem is new to them, simply because they want to ridicule the government as they did in the past. Nigerian's ought to realize that the country was at the verge of becoming a failed state and returning it to its former glory or comparing it with developed countries will not be achieved in less than 5 years or more.

The removal of subsidy can be argued to be the best solution for the economic sector of petroleum product but the previous governments did not have the courage and zeal to see it through due to political ambitions and how it will affect them during elections and other personal interests. It is very ironic and surprising how the human mind easily forgets how they made their decision and why they made them. People have forgotten how bad Nigeria was just a few years ago and how everyone was complaining about the extent of how the economy of the country was being destroyed, both economically and physically. People have forgotten how many lives were lost due to insurgency. In the northeastern part of the country and the south as well. It is shameful to see how politicians in the PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) that are the sources of the problem the country is facing today and how the same politicians in (PDP) decamped and cross carpeted to the new governing party, here referred to as (APC) just cling on to power.

The citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should bear in mind that if this present government succeeds, the younger generation being born today will at least have a bright future ahead of them. If that's really the case, then we will wait, be patient, pray and assist the government in achieving the goals that is being pursued and the so called "CHANGE" that was promised to Nigerian's. President Muhammadu Buhari has experience with regard to the petroleum sector. He spearheaded the establishment of 3 refineries when he was the Minister of Petroleum during the military administration of "FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, (GCFR)" in Kaduna State, Port Harcourt and Warri oil Refinery in Delta State. Since the country has refinery's that refine crude oil and supply petroleum product, the government should try and revive them for production, while the removal of subsidy takes its course and eventually evolve as time goes on. By doing so, the government can determine a fuel price which might be cheaper than the price of the oil marketers across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. It will also create a competitive environment for the marketers to sell at the lowest price they can, in order to attract more customers and still make enough profit to maintain their businesses.

The same was the case, when mobile phones and communication networks started operating in Nigeria here referred to as, MTN, GLOBACOM, ETISALAT, AIRTE etc.

The prices of SIM cards and phone sets were very high and only the rich could afford them, but almost every citizen in Nigeria has a mobile phone today because of the competitive nature in the communication sector. The networks have been very competitive and they gradually lowered the prices of their SIM cards and also offer special bundles simply to attract customers and make more profit. Nigerian's should be patient and tolerant to the policies being implemented by the government as no one can predict the outcome and effects it will have on the economy, but even more important, Nigerian’s should try to be optimistic with regard to the policy that has been implemented. By the grace of God, there will be light at the end of the tunnel and as the popular saying goes "patience is a virtue”, but with all due respect, Mr President Sir, even patience has a limits. May God almighty continue to bless, guide and protect us with his infinite mercy and wisdom. Amin.