3rd January, 2012
A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, on Monday in Lagos, criticised the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the government on January 1, calling it “an unpopular†decision.
Agbakoba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the government disregarded ongoing consultations with the different spectrums of the public on the matter.
“It is unfortunate. I am highly disappointed that government disregarded public outcry against fuel subsidy removal.
“There are ongoing public consultations on this issue and it was even debated at the National Assembly without any conclusion.
“I expected President Jonathan to have waited for the legislators to return from their Christmas break before taking any action on the issue,†he said.
Agbakoba, who also described the decision as ill-timed, added: “It is wrong for the government to take such abrupt decision about an issue so sensitive and unpopular.
“In spite of the fact that there have been scientific arguments by the government on the need to remove the subsidy, it should not have been imposed on Nigerians.
“The opinions of the people must be respected in a democratic system.â€