Activist Urges CSOs’ Action Over Subsidy Removal

Human rights activist, Barr Ifeanyi Chijioke Egwuagu, has called on civil society organisations (CSOs) to embark on a nationwide peaceful demonstration to demand concrete action from government towards ameliorating the plights of Nigerians.               

Barr Egwuagu, in a statement he made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, expressed worry at the economic hardship confronting a majority of Nigerians over the years and accused the President Tinubu administration of taking the sufferings of Nigerians to a higher degree through the removal of subsidy.                   

“The plan to remove fuel subsidy has been on the front burner over the years. There is a logical argument that the positive impact of removing subsidy will be felt in the long run. However, a government that truly has the socio-economic wellbeing of the people at heart will put in place sustainable measures to lessen the sufferings associated with the immediate subsidy removal.  I cannot see any clear-cut vision by the present administration to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians,” he said.

The rights activist described the N5billion palliative to state governments as deliberately creating avenue for looting of public funds by corrupt officials as there is no reliable data of vulnerable Nigerians that the palliative is meant for.               

“For me, what President Tinubu did was to put the cart before the horse. If a powerful cabal was alleged to have been stealing subsidy money, why not go after the cabal and recover the stolen wealth of the people from them. In any case, I do not see this government fighting corruption as desired by good thinking Nigerians. This is evident in the fact that some of those with anti-graft issues have already been appointed to key positions against the outcry of well-meaning Nigerians,” the statement added. 

Egwuagu further lamented the gulf in the political class and the poor masses, wondering how the representatives of the people will allocate N40billion to buy cars for National Assembly members.

“It proves the lack of empathy for the suffering masses and shows just how much greed stinks among the political elite,” he said.

Civil society organisations, he noted, should be at the vanguard of the struggle for the socio-economic emancipation of the masses, adding that a nationwide peaceful demonstration will go a long way in arousing the consciousness of all tiers of government to act fast, as they are already aware of the sufferings of the vast majority of Nigerians.