RANDOM MUSINGS: THE PROTESTS, THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AND SIX OTHER THINGS.
By
Ben C. Abraham.
THE PROTEST:
The #Endbadgovernance protest commenced on schedule on Thursday August 1, 2024 in many states of the federation. The protests have recorded expression of discontent by the citizens who Came out in their numbers. There have been sadly though, deaths of protesting citizens through live bullets by police operatives in Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna States amongst others. Sadly too, but not altogether unexpected, there have been looting, destruction and disorder. The protest is gaining momentum and resources deployed by the Federal and state Governments to sponsor anti-protest protesters have failed to achieve their desired aim.
TINUBU’s BROADCAST;
On Sunday 4th August, President Tinubu released a pre-recorded national address to the nation. The Address which leaked the night before the time of its official release fell short of expectations. Tinubu did not address the key issues raised by the protesters. It felt like listening to a 1-year-in-office broadcast where a President reels out his achievements and plans. The address lacked a sense of urgency and connection with the citizens. It was uninspiring and has been so roundly criticized for falling short of expectations. For instance, it is common knowledge that running and maintaining this Government is heavy on the people, what with so many appointees at every level living lavishly while urging other Nigerians to tighten their belt of sacrifice until the ship of State docks in the port of Eldorado. Tinubu’s drab speech didn’t address how his Government intends to cut down on the cost of governance amongst other key sacrificial prioritizations. It is also known that many of this Government’s officials are people who have files at the EFCC. They are untouchable. Corruption is not being addressed at the right levels and Tinubu is not interested. He wants protesters to give him time.
……AND SIX OTHER THINGS:
FUEL SUBSIDY VIS-À-VIS THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH;
Many Nigerians who heard that President Tinubu was going to address the nation on Sunday morning hoped, even silently prayed that the fuel subsidy will return, and petrol, that all-so-important resource, will sell again for about one hundred and ninety naira. Alas when Tinubu spoke, he drove the nail further down into the coffin of fuel subsidy. He said that there was no going back. Well, this president who has since confessed to being seized by some strange spirit of boldness on the day of his Government’s inauguration when he thoughtlessly announced the yanking off of fuel subsidy, is oblivious of the real price of that policy step that was taken without cabinet, advisers and options. It is such a shame that poor Nigerians will always be made to bear the brunt of Government’s failings and the prodigality of its officials. It is common knowledge that in the twilight of Buhari’s presidency, a former Governor of Bauchi state openly asked Buhari to stop the payment of subsidy because he and his colleagues who were the recipients were tired of making money. That statement further confirmed that the entire subsidy regime was enmeshed in a stinking pool of corruption and abuse. The ex- Governor by his confessional statement had made the work easier for the anti-graft body in going after the beneficiaries and their enablers. But Tinubu would have none of that. Upon assumption of office, despite highfalutin promises of change and renewed hope, he preferred to leave the fat cows who had stolen Nigeria blind and easily shifted the burden of economic recovery to the poor Nigerians. Without any functional refinery, what else could the average, read poor, Nigerian benefit from Government if not a carefully subsidized fuel regime? But that balm of economic health was viciously withdrawn by an unfeeling president without thought. The man who supervised the entire subsidy regime still holds his job in NNPCL under Tinubu. So much for renewed hope.
THAT 570BN NAIRA RELEASED TO STATES;
In cataloguing his Government’s achievements in response to the #endbadgovernance protests, Tinubu revealed that 570bn Naira was released to the 36 States of the Federation to support and expand livelihood support to the citizens. This money is not the monthly allocation to states from the Federation’s purse. It is part of the special grants which are given to states as specific interventions. What is the effect of this disbursement on the states? This brings to mind the palliatives which were released by the Federal Government to the states after the removal of the subsidy. Incidentally, the financial component was given to the Governors to manage despite calls to the contrary. For Nigeria to develop and for this and indeed any protest to achieve some measure of success, State Governors must come under much more scrutiny and accountability.
CBN’s WAYS AND MEANS AGAIN?
The plans by the Central Bank of Nigeria to apply ways and means in managing the economy came to the limelight just before the protest. Of course, the protest has drowned out every other thing in Nigeria today but this plan by the CBN which was opposed by some parliamentarians but since approved reminds us of Godwin Emefiele, the erstwhile CBN Governor and his voodoo economics. Leave the grammar, ways and means is put simply, the printing of more cash for the Government to use in achieving its plans. When this was done during Buhari’s tenure, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki raised the alarm but the CBN denied it labeling him a spoilsport, being a member of the opposition. Emefiele is presently standing trial on multiple counts. But we are back to ways and means! There is galloping inflation amidst near crunching food inflation and the best way out is to take more loans via printing of the naira even as the external debt overhang is damaging? The future is certainly bleak.
THE TAILOR THAT SEWED THE RUSSIAN FLAG;
Security officials announced that the tailor responsible for the spread of Russian flags waved by protesters in kano State had been arrested and would be charged to court pronto. While I agree that he be charged to court without unnecessarily keeping him in pre-trial custody as our sometimes overzealous agencies are wont to do, I would like to closely watch the trial and see how it goes – the evidence against him and his defence. Except the sewing of flags simpliciter has become a crime on its own, which I know it is not, then more facts alleging collusion need to be advanced otherwise it will become a wild goose chase. The law does not ride on the vehicle of sentiments. We will watch and see.
15 LAWMAKERS CALL FOR THE SACK OF MELE KYARI;
And the all-powerful boss of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari is finally under scrutiny. Despite the stench surrounding the payment of fuel subsidy, the significant loss of crude oil through theft and the shocking operating loss declared in the corporation’s books, Tinubu chose to retain him upon assumption of office. Not a few people believe he is indebted to the president for some favour done before now and so Tinubu remains deaf to any complaints against Kyari. Now 15 lawmakers under the aegis of the The Economy Rescue Group are calling for the oil buff’s head on the grounds of mismanagement. Even though the call was later echoed by more law makers via adverts in newspapers some of who later recanted, the fact that law makers could muster the audacity for this speaks volumes – Akpabio’s National Assembly serves payback for disloyalty quite fast. Quite expectedly too, in a pattern which has become all too common now, so many groups and individuals have jumped up to Kyari’s defence. The other thing is whether the appointing officer, the minister for petroleum resources will heed the call.
THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF AND HIS MEDIA CONFERENCE;
General Christopher Musa, the Nigerian Chief of Defence staff seems to have received additional accreditation by the Federal Government as its chief launderer. Not a few people were taken aback by the CDS’ statement on Friday 2nd August when the anti-hunger protests just entered day 2. Musa tutored Nigerians on why the protests should not continue. He threatened that they the military will not sit back and watch things deteriorate. He even gave the Government a pass mark stating that efforts were underway by the Tinubu regime to deliver dividends of democracy and therefore called for patience. Falling short of giving a military command, the CDS ventured to instruct the media to black out the protests because it was not an election. He said that he noted how the local and international media were riveted on the protests thus giving the protesters the oxygen to continue. Whao! This is beyond belief. Nigeria never disappoints when it comes to extremities of its officials. Can someone be bold enough to lecture the CDS on when the military should speak and what it should speak when it does? As the numero uno in the military (short of being the C-in-C), Musa should know better. The entire show cast the military in such bad light and gave room for questions about loyalty – to the country, the constitution or to Tinubu? Meanwhile, a video went viral last week showing a soldier stationed somewhere in Geidam LGA of Yobe state, in one of the forward positons in the war against Boko Haram. The soldier displayed the measly semovita and soup he was served for lunch despite being told of huge sums of money voted for their feeding. He lamented the entire thing and queried how Boko haram would be defeated in such discouraging circumstances. He ended by calling for the video to go viral adding that the complaint would be termed indiscipline. The military spoke on the video stating that they had taken note and that it would be investigated. Who investigates the military in situations like this? Bloody civilians are asked to keep off and keep out of military affairs. Let the CDS face his remit please and leave the job of Government PR to the appointees. This kain loyalty, na wao.