The Mystery Of The Change Government

By Kazeem Olalekan Israel GCAF

On January 1, 2012, former Nigerian President welcomed the patriotic and good-loving people of Nigeria to the new year with the announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy. Without wasting much time, the NLC, TUC, ASUU and all other group announced a general protest which they tagged " #OccupyNigeriaProtest.

They were successful in gathering Nigerians from all nooks of Nigeria to rise against the removal of fuel subsidy then. Babatunde Fashola and Tinubu single-handedly sponsored the protest to vehemently oppose what they tagged the 'obnoxious' policy of Goodluck Jonathan. They then made themselves the sudden lovers of the people. The recent removal of fuel subsidy is a misadventure on the part of the APC. It smacks of lack of sense of history, betrayal of the common people and utter disservice to the common people.

It is preposterous to make such an anti-people proclamation when the standard of living of the people have not increase, salaries are owed , people are living below poverty line. Doublespeaking, backstabbing and swindling of the masses are what we've got by way of answering the Change Mantra. What Buhari and his party promised was not retrenchment, downward review of minimum wage, tightening of belt, half-hearted and selective anti-corruption crusade and a weak currency.

Change meant in the people’s perspective security, job opportunities, living wages and general economic prosperity. The arguments put forward to back such dastardly assault on the interest of the working people are as puerile as they are malicious. How can one imagine buying fuel for #145 per litre even in the face of over #6trn budget. The arguments are pedestrian, lack depth and too routine to convince anyone in a time like this.

It sounds rather lame an argument to say money saved from subsidy will be used for infrastructural development, or to present the appearance that subsidy is an unusual phenomenon. The fact remains that governments all over the world subsidise one thing or the other. In Nigeria it is only fuel government claims to subsidise. Of course, in the real sense, what it translates to and why it is being opposed is that subsidy removal is an euphemism for increased fuel price in the Nigerian political economy.

What Buhari told us is the poor masses must be made to pay more for fuel from their already lean pockets in order to fatten the pockets of the capitalists. There is increased in the price of basic commodities out there, artisans are oppressing us, civil servants are not being paid, 25 out of the 36 states that we have in Nigeria are still unable to pay their workers salary. There is no solution in sight to that, what the government is proposing is for more hardship for the working people.

The government of Maj. Gen. Buhari needs to be told to stop running from pillar to post and leaving the the country afloat like a rudderless boat in the middle of a stormy sea. The more the government continue to shy away from its responsibilities, the more things would be falling apart. The Buhari led administration is technically and beautifully driving us into the pit of life, we clamoured for change they are chaining us. The hope is finally dashed with misplaced and inaccurate priority.

We need to close ranks irrespective of political party and other difference, to forge a common platform against the neoliberal assault being championed by the APC. Let's wake up, unite and speak with one voice to let the APC government knows that this is a misadventure on their own part. Remember, a people united can never be defeated! Batallamos Hasta La Victoria Siempre! Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) Pacesetters Movement, OAU

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this site are those of the contributors or columnists, and do not necessarily reflect TheNigerianVoice’s position. TheNigerianVoice will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here."