Civil society groups in Lagos have vowed to remain resolute in their objection to the removal of fuel subsidy by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The groups warned the government not to even contemplate the action, as aggrieved Nigerians are only waiting for the littlest provocation from the government to finally unseat bad leaders.
The various groups, who came together on Monday in celebration of the 75th posthumous birthday of the late chief Gani Fawehinmi, also warned the government to start thinking of the best ways to govern the country to avoid a burst at any time.
“Let us sound a note of warning that any increase in the price of petroleum products even by half a kobo is unacceptable,” Comrade Ayodele Akele, who led the various groups under the aegis of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation, warned, saying they would join forces with genuine activists and aggrieved masses to resist such criminal attempt to inflict pains and further improverish Nigerians,
The groups, which include Oodua Peoples Congress and other such organisations, lamented that the Nigerian politicians have made it a point to dump those who vote them into power.
“Once the conventional politicians have been elected or rigged into power, they govern for themselves and not for the people,” he said.
“Many have are now asking: what is the essence of all the sacrifices in fighting military dictatorship? For example, instead of job creation, we have witnessed massive losses. Instead of building houses for the masses, their houses and properties are being destroyed and they are being thrown into the streets.
“Hospitals are not better than mortuaries. Many people die simply because they cannot afford the cost of medical care. To the ordinary person, governance appears to be synonymous with unleashing pains, pangs and tears rather than providing succour. This is compounded by the massive looting, corruption and impunity at all levels of government in our country.”
According to groups, most Nigerians are groaning under the increase in the amount they pay for electricity while they do not even have access to electricity in their houses.
“Over $30bn has been spent on the PHCN misadventure by successive Nigerian governments in the past 10 years. The government of Obasanjo alone squandered over $16bn on power plants in a most scandalous manner.
“The government of Musa Yar’Adua-Jonathan also in the same vain squandered billions of dollars with nothing to show for it. The Goodluck Jonathan government has also spent $8bn on the so-called privatisation of PHCN.”
The groups censured President Jonathan for his “inability to fight corruption,” lamenting that the president has continued to support those who have swindled the country to the detriment of the people. They cited the pension fund scam and the handling of corruption cases against former Governor James Ibori of Delta State and Dipreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State.
They then urged the president to lead the country in obedience to the rule of law, imploring him to take a place at the forefront of the fight against corruptionrather than encouraging it.
