The lingering issue of fuel subsidy removal has turned Nigeria to a theatrical auditorium, displaying various forms of drama, putting the audience both within and outside the country on cliff-hanging with the suspense of what will be the outcome.
Despite the loud hues and cries of the majority of Nigerians that fuel subsidy removal will further worsen the condition of the masses, the insistence of Mr. President on its removal is clearly a daring move in defianceto people’s cries, an apparent attempt to betray and frustrate Nigerians with his palliative and paradoxical statement that “fuel subsidy removal will only bring temporary pains…”
The questions are: do we still need temporary pains in addition to myriads of pains that afflict us as a nation? Do millions of intelligent and capable graduates on the street still need“temporary pains” in addition totheir joblessness and hopelessness among others? Will the masses who could barelyafford three-square meals a day pray for additional “temporary pains?” Should President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who promised heaven and earth during his campaign (voters should learn from this in case of next time), be happy by adding “temporary pains” to the suffering of his people? What is “temporary” in a “pain”?
Evidences abound everywhere that Nigerians are not happy about the ongoing governance; the presidency and the few rich members of the caucus may pretend as if all is well simply because they are “immune” in one way or the other. One very important advice for the President is to listen to the voices of the people if truly he is representing them. What kind ofa leader would turn a deaf ear tothe woes and cries of his people if not a heartless one? I do not mean few wealthy ones who don’t care even if a litre of fuel costs N500. Otherwise, danger looms because the people, especially angry and hungry youths, are on the verge of losing their control and nobody can imagine what the outcome of chaotic demonstrations propelled by anger, frustration, poverty and hopelessness will be.
Whoever is able to read over President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration address on the occasion of his swearing-in as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on May 29, 2011, will agree that President Jonathan is ready to betray Nigerians if he continues to defy his people at the expense of few groups. He must have forgotten all the promises he made during his inauguration; for clarity purpose, the following are excerpts from his inauguration speech: “Today, our unity is firm,and our purpose is strong. Our determination unshakable. Together, we will unite our nation and improve the living standards of all our peoples…” How does the President intend to “improve the living standards of all our peoples” with the subsidy removal, which will sky-rocket the prices of all basic commodities?
To be sincere, judging from his past actions, I have not seen the readiness for transformation. What is “leadership, statesmanship, vision, capacity and sacrifice to transform our nation…” Has the President forgotten those endless promises he composed in active,lively and punchy sentences suchas: “Fellow citizens, the leadership we have pledged is decidedly transformative… We must grow the economy, create jobs, and generate enduring happiness for our people… The moment is right. The signs are heart-warming. We are ready to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development…
We will push programmes and policies that will benefit both local and foreign businesses… In every decision, I shall always place the common good before all else… The time for lamentation is over. This is the era of transformation.This is the time for action… You have trusted me with your mandate and I will never, never let you down… I know your pain.Look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new beginning; a new direction; a new spirit…” Who will rememberthese active sentences by Mr. President on his inauguration day and doubt his being courageous and futuristic? But is he truly courageous and futuristic? Has he not betrayed his speech? Is he not going to betray further? Whether or not he will fulfill the above promises,only time will tell.
The facts before us now, if we must call a spade a spade, are indicators that the future is not bright yet. We thought that Jonathan-let administration will adhere to his promises from his first month in office, not knowing that we have not out-grown the politics of empty promises..
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