The Executive Director, Justice First initiative, a Civil Society/ Human Rights Organization, Barr. Uche Maduemesi has described the newly sworn-in President of Nigeria as a hypocrite who makes comments and takes actions to suit his political ambition and nothing more. According tp him, the statement by the president on oil subsidy removal in his inaugural speech came to many as a surprise since he was the same person who in 2012 lampooned the then president, Goodluck Jonathan for partially removing oil subsidy which saw drastic increase in the prices of petroleum products. He said Jonathan had broken his social contract with the people by his action.
In a public statement released today, 30th May, 2023, Barr. Maduemesi reminded the new president that he described the action of Jonathan as ‘breaking the Social Contract with the people’ when the partial subsidy removal became public in the new year of 2012 and wondered what contract he entered into with the same people on his assumption of office with the announcement on possible immediate termination of subsidizing petroleum products when the enabling environment to cushion the possible effects had not been made. ‘By this sly piece of paper, the federal government breached the social contract with the people. This government, which owes its very existence to the people’s desire to be governed by someone more humble than elitist, has turned its back on the collective will. By bureaucratic fiat, government made the most fateful economic decision any administration has made since the inception of the Fourth Republic and it has done so with an arrogant wave of the hand as if issuing a minor regulation’, Tinubu declared in his statement. Is his position still the same? Justice First Initiative asks in its statement
‘It is a known fact that the local refineries are not working yet, a hallmark of failed electoral promise of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the newly commissioned one built by Aliko Dangote in Lekki in Lagos is yet to commence production. All the petroleum needs of this country are imported. The Tinubu statement has spiked the cost of petroleum products as most service stations had increased their pump prices while hoarding of products had been reported from different parts of the country’, Justice First Initiative pointed out in its statement.
Like Tinubu then said in his statement condemning Jonathan’s action, that the time was not ripe for the subsidy removal and that the action of the then government could cause mass protest, what has changed? . “At this moment, we know not to where this anger will lead. In good conscience, we pray against violence. Also in good conscience, it is the duty of every citizen to peacefully demonstrate and record their opposition to this draconian measure that is swiftly crippling the economy more than it will ever cure it” Tinubu’s statement in 2012 read. It is hoped that his new administration would also ‘in good conscience’ allow the people to vent their and protest against subsidy removal as he said was their inalienable right.
The human rights organization urged the new government to embark on policies and actions that will alleviate the suffering of the masses which has been indescribable in the last eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. “Let your government be a soothing balm of some sorts for the people and not the other way round”, the statement urged the President Tinubu.
Source: Drumnewsonline
