5th March, 2024
The National Spokesperson for Coalition of United Political Parties which is a coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria, Mark Adebayo, in this brief chat with P.M. News Editor, Paul Dada, says that most of the state governors have not been responsible with increased revenue from savings from fuel subsidy removal.
During the electioneering campaign season, President Bola Tinubu as APC candidate did say clearly that he would take tough decisions for the long term benefits of Nigeria. Don’t you think the current economic downturn which many say is caused by the policies of the Tinubu administration is a tunnel that has light at its end?
Any light seen or promised at the end this endless tunnel is a mere optical illusion considering the trial-and-error fiscal and economic policies of the current administration. It is taken that he did say during the electioneering campaigns that he would take tough decisions, but the question remains to what extent have those tough decisions impacted positively on the lives of over 180 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians in the critical areas of security, economy, energy, peace, unity, Naira’s value and overall development? Tough decisions must be tailored towards the end of positive impact on the country and its citizens. We haven’t seen that anywhere! Cost of living in Nigeria is perhaps the highest in Africa in the last 9 months of the Tinubu presidency which is directly attributable to his precipitate removal of the oil subsidy which was/is a collective punishment to innocent Nigerians for the sins and criminalities of the elite subsidy thieves who are less then 0.5% of Nigeria’s population.
Some Nigerians blame Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy. But it is on record that Nigeria has saved so much from the removal and state governments have been able to get more funds from the Federal Government. However, the situation in many states does not justify the increased revenue. Who should bear the blame for this?
What Nigerians would have appreciated was if the accruing revenues gave us cheaper prices of foods, goods and services, greater security, constant power supply and a booming economy. But the current situation is tantamount to a double tragedy scenario in which the oil subsidy was removed and these trillions of Naira are accruable there from. But suffering, hunger and allied atrocious conditions have multiplied on Nigerians. The state Governors, with perhaps the exception of Governor Zulum of Borno state and, possibly, Alex Otti of Abia, have largely been irresponsible with the increased funds they’ve been getting since subsidy removal. They’re best positioned to get palliative to their people with significant grassroots reach but they’re too avaricious to make that happen. If the Governors and the FG utilize the gains of oil subsidy removal humanely, strategically and productively, nobody will complain about subsidy removal anymore.
Are there recent decisions by the FG that you think are worth commendation?
The quashing of treasonable charges against Sowore is a welcome development. They should move quickly to extend same Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The ongoing consideration for state police establishment is a long overdue necessity and it’s commendable. The current attempts to implement the Oronsanye report on reorganising the Civil Service is excellent if done with necessary modifications to reflect the realities of the time.
How would you assess the role of opposition in Nigeria? Do you think there is a virile opposition in Nigeria?
Let me say that the opposition has been active and engaging in responsible opposition activism in a way to ensure that the ship of state is not wrecked entirely. A lot of Nigerians believe that the opposition should do more considering the current sordid state of affairs in the country. We can only assure them that we will continue to consolidate and ensure that we speak in their defence and interests at all times without compromise. We will never abandon our core mandates of being the voice for the voiceless and vulnerable in this country. We will continue to partner with patriotic organizations and other non-state actors to ensure that the government is put on its toes to do the right things for the benefits of Nigerians and the progress of Nigeria without let or hindrance.
How can the opposition get its act together?
I think it’s very important for all opposition elements to re-strategise with the purpose of providing credible alternative to Nigerians as against the current backwardness and ensure that all contending influences are consolidated to ensure that we win in 2027 in order to give Nigerians the positive respite they desperately need. Working at cross purposes as an opposition is essentially counterproductive and gives the government the unnecessary freeway to escape critical scrutiny. I am confident that the opposition will reorganize and re-energise in due course for a more effective opposition activism. We are already on that course of action by our current consultations with critical opposition stakeholders. Last week we paid a courtesy and consultative visit to the national chairman of African Democratic Congress, ADC. This week, the consultative meetings continue with Action Alliance and other opposition political parties after which we’ll come out with a comprehensive plan of actions.