Subsidy protests: Nigerian lawyers back labour unions

The Nigerian Bar Association on Thursday in Abuja called on the Federal Government to reverse the withdrawal of subsidies from premium motor spirit,PMS, otherwise known as fuel and proffered alternatives to the subsidy removal.

The President of the association, Mr. Joseph Daudu, a senior advocate of Nigeria, in a signed statement called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan in the event that he refused to reinstate the fuel subsidy.

The association described the withdrawal of the subsidy as callous, insensitive, premature and wicked, and pledged its readiness to put all its resources at the disposal of good governance and the rule of law.

While rejecting government’s claim that there were no alternatives to the removal of subsidy, the NBA stated that there are many alternatives and argued that if government should apply half the vigour with which it has pursued the issue of the removal of subsidy to the eradication of corruption in all the arms of Government and in society in general then trillions of Naira would be freed up for developmental projects.

“Government should identify areas of wastage in governance such as the allocation of largesse and booties in the name of allowances and withdraw same forthwith. Government must embark on a re-orientation of its own values and ethics and those of Nigerians” the statement said.

The NBA called on the National Assembly to officially and formally declare its position on the removal of fuel subsidy.

“If, as we believe, the National Assembly sides with the People, then it must in the same transaction call on the President to rescind or reverse its actions on subsidy removal and should their call not be heeded by the President then National Assembly should seriously consider impeachment proceedings; the president having lost the confidence of Nigerians to continue to rule or lead them.”

If the Legislators fail to take the desired actions, the NBA warned, then Nigerians will commence the constitutional process to recall them.

The association stated that the time had come to remind government officials that the ultimate power to govern remained with the people and not with government officials and noted that it had become obvious that Nigerian leaders were truly detached from the reality of economic hardship endured by Nigerians.

According to the association, virtually all high Government officials and their families feed and live off tax payers’ funds, yet they enjoy outrageous salaries and other emoluments.

It observed that in some cases the amount budgeted for feeding and catering is as much as N1 billion and that Government officials travel endlessly round the world for the flimsiest of reasons collecting estacodes in billions even where the object of most of these journeys can be achieved by simply browsing the internet.

It noted that government clearly did not understand the seriousness of the situation adding that government had failed to understand that all governments be they dictatorial or otherwise enjoyed power because the people allowed it to remain in power.

The NBA further noted that Nigerians had shown that they rejected subsidy removal under the terms and conditions laid down by Government.

Part of the statement read “The Nigerian Bar Association had since the purported removal of fuel subsidy been in active consultation with the NLC, TUC, NMA and other professional bodies and civil societies. I have also consulted widely with the Branches of the NBA and other senior members of the Bar and our position is unanimous as follows: That NBA supports and associates itself with all the actions contained in the NLC/TUC communiqué referred to above. For the avoidance of doubt, all members of the NBA shall participate in the nationwide strike commencing on the 9th of January 2012. The strike shall be comprehensive with all lawyers withdrawing their services from courts and elsewhere except as it is necessary to facilitate the continuation of pressure on Government to rescind its actions. All branches of the NBA are directed to constitute teams of able and dedicated lawyers to assist free of any charge persons who may be unlawfully arrested or manhandled during the period of protest. Lawyers should ensure that they monitor the response of government particularly any breaches of fundamental human rights or the protocols of international criminal law for the possibility of prosecution of errant and exuberant officials before appropriate international criminal tribunals”

The NBA also supported the position of NLC/TUC that there should be no negotiation with the Belgore Committee or any other agent of government on this or any other allied matter because there is in reality nothing to negotiate. The minimum position is the immediate reversal of this provocative and uncalled for increment of petrol.

It noted that the said increment will, regardless of the much touted palliatives, destroy what is left of the lives of Nigerians.

Accordint to the NBA, the level of dishonesty and disorganisation in the country at this moment will only ensure that the said palliatives are frittered away. Before public transportation can be embarked on, Government must set at least 18 months planning of National, State and municipal routes determined by passenger density and other modalities. It must have a commercial policy in place to ensure the continuity and uniformity of such a program but observed that Government from all indication does not believe in planning.

“Government is not serious about the business of governance. It is unfortunate that the people must at this point in time be forced to confront government as a result of the latter’s unviable and self-serving economic policies. Government is not in the business of making a profit for itself and her cronies and sponsors who are in the oil trade. If anything untoward happens in the course of this protests then the blood of innocent Nigerians is on the head of President Goodluck Jonathan”.

“In every democracy, a leader or leaders must rule or govern according to the will of the people. No leader has a monopoly of knowledge or wisdom over and above that of the people that put him there. At all times government must remain responsive and accountable to the will of the people.

—Nnamdi Felix / Abuja