10 prominent Nigerians who have come under fire over the fuel subsidy removal

The federal government of Nigeria, Wednesday, May 11, announced the removal of subsidies on petroleum products which triggered the increase of a litre of fuel from N87 to N145.

Many Nigerians are angry with the Muhammadu Buhari administration over the decision, with some going as far as comparing the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan and the present one.

The anger has been extended to many other prominent Nigerians for their actions or in actions over the issue.

READ ALSO: How Buhari graduated Nigeria from a corrupt to a fantastically corrupt nation

NAIJ.com lists 10 Nigerians that have been under fire since the fuel subsidy removal was announced.

1. President Muhammadu Buhari: The consensus among many commentators is that he has failed the nation. President Buhari didn’t do himself any good, when he announced gleefully during the campaign period that he will reduce the price of petrol only for him to do the opposite now that he is in power. The president had also declared during the electioneering period that the then government claim that it was paying for subsidy was a fraudulent claim. Millions of Nigerians are angry with the president for going back on his promises and they have been using every medium to express their anger.

2. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo: As an opposition chieftain during the days of the Goodluck Jonathan government, Osinbajo was one of those who criticised the then government for trying to remove subsidies on petroleum products. The vice president who is now the head of the economic team of the present administration has now changed his stance, saying subsidy removal is inevitable due to the economic crisis facing the nation. But many Nigerians will have none of that. Some has even gone as far as questioning the integrity of the vice president as a public official.

3. Pastor Tunde Bakare: He is the convener of one of Nigeria’s most active pressure group – Save Nigeria Group (SNG). He and his cohorts in the group practically brought the Goodluck Jonathan government to its knees in January 2012 when the then government made moves to end payment of subsidies on petroleum products. Today, Bakare is nowhere to be found. He has suddenly lost his voice and Nigerians have taken him to the cleaners via various medium for his silence since the current saga began. The 61-year old fiery preacher was President Buhari’s running mate in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change during the 2011 presidential elections.

4. Professor Wole Soyinka: He is known as the moral voice that speaks for the masses whenever the government initiates a policy that is seen to be oppressive economically. But the Nobel Laureate winner seems to have gone into hiding. In the past, Soyinka would have called a press conference to lambast the government and call for a reversal of the policy. Nigerians have been calling on the Ogun-born professor to speak up as he has always done; with some already calling him names for what they say is his obvious bias towards the Buhari administration.

5. Senator Dino Melaye: Although he has spoken against the subsidy removal by the government, it has not made the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District immune from the barrage of criticism that has come his way. Melaye, was one of the known faces at the January 2012 #OccupyNigeria protest. He was a constant and permanent feature throughout the whole duration of the protest. Many thought by now, Melaye and his ‘troops’ will be on the field again challenging the Buhari government. But the senator seems to be a timid fellow now, all he could muster was to plead with his party to intervene.

6. Senator Shehu Sani: Another fire brand senator who has suddenly developed cold feet when it comes to defending the populace with actions and not just words. A human rights activist-turned politician, Sani has restricted his criticism to comments on social media without mentioning to his ardent followers when he will lead them to hit the streets and challenge the government. Like his colleague Melaye, he was one of the movers and shakers of the #OccupyNigeria protest albeit from the northern side. He was hailed by all and sundry then for standing by his people. But today, Sani is on the other side.

7. Governor Nasir El-Rufai: The diminutive Kaduna state executive, threatened fire and brimstone when the Jonathan government embarked on the same route in 2012. Known for his divisive comments, El Rufai has suddenly turned to the spokesman of the Buhari government on an issue many expected him to oppose like he did in the past. The former FCT minister joined ordinary Nigerians at Ojota, Lagos under the sun, to protest against a policy, he is now championing with vigour. He has been heavily criticized by Nigerians for his stance.

8. Governor Adams Oshiomole: The Edo state governor whose past time these days seem to be criticizing every policy of the Jonathan government is probably not aware of the news in town. Knowing him for who he is, the former labour leader would have dominated the front pages of newspapers, calling the government to reverse its anti-people laws or face the wrath of the masses. But not the Oshiomole of today, he is rather focused on foisting an unpopular candidate on All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Edo state and indeed the Edo people as the state prepares for a governorship election later this year.

9. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun: Many Nigerians were shocked to see a sober APC national chairman on their TV screens recently appealing to the masses to accept the subsidy removal by the present government. Odigie-Oyegun was vehemently opposed to the policy when the Jonathan government tried to initiate in back in 2012. He went on to describe the policy as ‘senseless’. But his tome has changed now. He said: “In one way or the other, subsidy must go”. Not done, in his characteristic manner of blaming the last administration, He said, ‘’the current administration inherited an infected system of subsidy run by corrupt cartels”.

10. Dr Joe Odumakin: The 49-year old women’s rights activist and president of Campaign for Democracy have been hailed severally for her courage especially when it comes to standing by the masses. But the courage of Odumakin seems to have waned. Although she has this to say about the policy, ‘’ the same reason to reject subsidy removal in #OccupyNigeria 2012 is still the same reason to oppose it now! It is anti-poor/masses.’’ Many Nigerians have called Odumakin to move beyond rhetoric and match her comrades to Ojota to hold vigil there like they did in 2012 so that the Buhari government can give in to their demands.

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