The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside, has called on political leaders, mostly in opposition parties in 2012, who instigated Nigerians to protest against the removal of fuel subsidy by the administration of then President Goodluck Jonathan to tender an unreserved apology.
Atedo wondered how the same set of people are now in tandem with the decision to removal the subsidy by the Bola Tinubu presidency, insisting that
Jonathan, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Peter Obi and other members of the 2012 Economic Team must be apologised to over the way they were ‘chastised’ over the policy.
“The petrol subsidy removal is complicated by the fact some liars who held sway in 2012 are now singing a different tune in 2023. They should apologise to @GEJonathan @PeterObi @NOIweala & others in the 2012 Economic Team & beg Nigerians for forgiveness so we can move forward, ” Peterside said in a tweet on Sunday.
Recalled on January 2012, Jonathan’s administration announced the removal of subsidy on petrol motor spirit and increased the price from N65 to N120 per litre.
The announcement was met with fierce opposition from labour unions, political parties, civil society organisations and other interested groups across Nigeria.
Strikes were embarked upon by labour unions while many Nigerians embarked on sit at home protests, tagged ‘Occupy Nigeria’s which was even indirectly encouraged by some state governors in a major opposition party.
Jonathan government, after much pressure brought down the price to N97 per litre.
Fast forward, thirteen years after, the same set of politicians who opposed the idea then were in power now, and see the reason subsidy is no longer sustainable.
President Bola Tinubu had during his inauguration as president on May 29 said there would be no more fuel subsidy as there was no provision for it in the budget.
That pronouncement immediately created serious apprehension, thus led to resurfacing of long queue at petrol station the following day and resultant price hike of the petroleum products across the country.
After some days, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited announced the adjustment of price of PMS to between N488 to N537, giving the perculiarities of states in six geographical zones.
The Nigeria Labour Congress since last week has given the federal government up till Wednesday, June 7, 2023 to revert to status quo ante, otherwise, the union will embark on nationwide strike and protests across Nigeria.
