Fuel subsidy removal: Coalition warns against anarchy

…asks Nigerians to defend democracy

A coalition of civil society groups has urged Nigerians to show understanding and avoid being used to truncate democracy, following challenges faced after fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

In a communique at the end of a town hall meeting in Lagos on Tuesday, the Coalition of Civil
Society Organizations and Labour Centre urged Nigerians to appreciate the efforts being made by Bola Tinubu’s government to address the challenges being faced by the people.

The town hall meeting had representatives of 21 organisations, affiliates, associates and the media in attendance. Comrade Razak Olokoba of Campaign for Dignity in Governance gave the welcome address and opening remarks in welcoming all to the town hall meeting on the nation’s state and sundry matters and the way forward for the collective benefit of Nigerians.

Olokoba called for understanding from Nigerians over the harsh economic realities which are affecting all and sundry and recognized that removing the fuel subsidy is a bitter pill we all have to swallow to stop the haemorrhaging of the Nigerian state.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors for the policy thrust of their governments in addressing the pains being experienced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy.

He welcomed all to the meeting and wished the participants fruitful deliberations. The meeting then devolved into presentations by the various groups present and stated as follows:

• That the removal of the fuel subsidy is necessary and inevitable to save the Nigerian state from economic comatose
• That the humongous funds of $30 billion dollars being expended on fuel subsidy amounts to a rip-off of the Nigerian people
• That President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration should be commended for the bold economic decision to remove the fuel subsidy in the collective interest of the Nigerian people in the long run
• That it’s a fact that Nigerians are going through economic hardship as a result of this policy, but they must show an understanding of the mindset that the pains they are presently going through are the temporary sacrifice that they have to make for a better future
• That we acknowledge that less than two months after the removal of the fuel subsidy, Nigeria has started reaping the gains in terms of savings of about one trillion naira to the national coffers that could have been frittered away.
• That the palliatives put in place to soothe the temporary pains being experienced as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy must be monitored by civil society organizations to enhance transparency and accountability.
• That we commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for his policy statements and measures put in place to address the economic plight of Lagosians.
• As we call for patience and understanding from Nigerians to be patient and persevere, our leaders at all levels of government must also cut down on the cost of governance.
• That the government at all tiers should put in place social protection policies for vulnerable citizens in line with global best practices.
• That Nigerians should be wary of people and groups who want to make political capital out of their economic situation through the propaganda of lies and mischief to mislead and incite.
• That Nigerians paid a heavy price for installing this democracy through sweat, limb and blood and would deploy all and any legitimate means to defend and sustain it.
• That Nigerians will resist any attempt to undermine this democracy through any undemocratic means using the instrumentality of the rule of law as expressed in the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and rallies by citizens.

The town hall meeting resolved as follow:

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is commended for the bold economic decision to remove fuel subsidy
• The economic inconvenience of fuel subsidy removal is affecting all strata of Nigerian society.
• The gains of the removal of the fuel subsidy have started manifesting in increased savings of an unprecedented one trillion naira within two months, and thus the government has more funds to deliver democratic dividends to the citizenry.
• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is commended for his presidential broadcast and the measures he has outlined to address the economic inconvenience occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.
• Nigerians are enjoined to show understanding and patience on this matter with the optimism that the fuel subsidy removal aftermath is a temporary sacrifice to pay for a better and enduring future.
• The three tiers of government must put in place social safety mechanisms to alleviate the conditions of the vulnerable in line with
  global best practices.
• The palliatives and other measures put in place to address the economic plight of Nigerians due to the removal of the fuel subsidy must be monitored for transparency and accountability by civil society organizations.
• The Nigerian people are determined to defend democracy with all legitimate means necessary for our collective good.
• Nigerians and groups are enjoined to ventilate their views on the fuel subsidy removal and other issues within the purview of the law
  and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked or provoked into anarchy by anti-democratic elements.
• We commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for outlining his administration’s measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
• We say no to the breakdown of law and order in the guise of the exercise of fundamental rights of citizens and call on the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities.
• We wish to alert Nigerians to beware of the threat to national security by persons and groups using the fuel subsidy removal issue
  for political capital.
• Local government council administrations are enjoined to follow the paths of the federal and states governments in outlining their
  palliatives and measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on the citizenry.

Signed by the following organizations:

1. Razak Olokoba Campaign for Dignity in Governance
2. Nelson Ekujumi Centre for Social and Economic Rights
3. Titi Akosa Centre for 21st-Century Issues
4. Linus Okoroji Humanity Services Project
5. Raji Rasheed Oyewunmi Yoruba Citizen Action for Change
6. Hamed Balogun Frontliner Economy and Social Research Centre
7. Jubril Ogundimu Oodua Revolutionary Front
8. Gbenga Soloki Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence
9. Razaq Oladosu Grassroots Democratic Initiative
10. Alex Omotehinse Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights
11. Awakulu Galadima Northern Integrity Forum
12. Ramat Abdulrazak Women Grassroot Network
13. HRM Sola Olatunde Oodua Youth Movement
14. Ramat Abdulrazak National Union of Market Men and Women
15. Ramat Abdullahi Centre for Promotion of Work Ethics and Values
16. Oliseh Charles Labour Veterans
17. Raheem Akeem Fmr. President Trade Union Congress (TUC)
18. Princess Abidemi Dosumu Salamotu Dosumu Skills Acquisition
    foundation For Women and Underprivileged
19. Funso Mojuba Yoruba Unity Network
20. Akin Abosanyin Yoruba Interactive Network’
21. Alhaji Taofeek Adeyemi Oodua Peoples Congress (Reform)