Human
rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has warned the Federal Government and the
Nigeria Governors’ Forum against removing the subsidy on petroleum products.
rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has warned the Federal Government and the
Nigeria Governors’ Forum against removing the subsidy on petroleum products.
He said deregulation of the commodity would lead to revolution.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria was reacting to a recent comment
credited to the chairman of the forum and Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi, in which he said mass revolt, was unlikely in the country.
credited to the chairman of the forum and Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi, in which he said mass revolt, was unlikely in the country.
Amaechi had at the Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging
Leaders held recently, said many Nigerians had become used to suffering rather
than pushing for a change.
Leaders held recently, said many Nigerians had become used to suffering rather
than pushing for a change.
The governor said he was sure that those who gathered to protest
against the removal of oil subsidy in January 2012 would have fled if President
Goodluck Jonathan had drafted soldiers to the Freedom Park, Lagos, and other
states to quell the uprising.
against the removal of oil subsidy in January 2012 would have fled if President
Goodluck Jonathan had drafted soldiers to the Freedom Park, Lagos, and other
states to quell the uprising.
Falana, in an electronic mail to our correspondent, further said
Nigerian rulers had been cut off from those they rule.
Nigerian rulers had been cut off from those they rule.
He argued that the increasing number of people taking up arms to
commit crimes, had confirmed that Nigerians were not afraid of death.
commit crimes, had confirmed that Nigerians were not afraid of death.
He said, “As far as I am concerned, it is the height of
alienation on the part of the country’s rulers to believe that Nigerians are
not ready to die in a country where militants, terrorists, kidnappers, armed
robbers and other young people are taking up arms against a rickety
neo-colonial state.”
alienation on the part of the country’s rulers to believe that Nigerians are
not ready to die in a country where militants, terrorists, kidnappers, armed
robbers and other young people are taking up arms against a rickety
neo-colonial state.”
Falana further said out of class solidarity, most state
governors conspired with the Federal Government to break the general strike and
mass action against fuel subsidy removal in January 2012.
governors conspired with the Federal Government to break the general strike and
mass action against fuel subsidy removal in January 2012.
He said, “If the governor thinks a revolution is impossible in
Nigeria, we dare the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Federal Government to
announce another increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit.
Nigeria, we dare the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Federal Government to
announce another increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit.
“With respect, one does not expect a state governor cruising
around in a private jet in the midst of poverty- stricken people to see the
faces of hungry and angry people who are going to wage the revolution at the
appropriate time.”
around in a private jet in the midst of poverty- stricken people to see the
faces of hungry and angry people who are going to wage the revolution at the
appropriate time.”
Source: Punch
