Only people bereft of ideas, inept in focus, and hollow in intellect will say there are no alternatives to something. In 1988, the General Ibrahim babangida government and its apologists always drumed ''No alternative to the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP)''. In fact some of us, including late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Late Alao Aka-Basorun, late Tai Solarin, Femi Falana, Baba Omojola, etc, were chased out of a conference on Aternative to SAP hosted by Chief Gani Fawehinmi in his Anthony Village Chambers premises.
Today, all those who denounced SAP and provoked discussions as well as provided alternatives have long been vindicated. Late Prof. Bade Onimode, Prof. Adebayo Adedeji etc indeed researched and published a book on African African Alternative to SAP.
We are where we are today because that government and its apologists shut their ears and eyes and chosed to sing the songs as written by the Bretton Woods institutions-IMF, World Bank etc.
They have once again started. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria expectedly joined the chorus during the weekend at tghe convocation of the University of Benin. He was reported to have said Nigeria won't make progress without removing fuel subsidy.
Perhaps, records at the Central Bank may have shown to him that between 2000 and 2007, when General Olusegun Obasanjo increased fuel prices, in the same guise, 8 times more industries were established in Nigeria; more jobs were created; more electricity were generated; roads were rebuilt etc. From the records that is open and verifiable, the reverse was the case. The increases led to high cost of production, which led to several industries to either shut down or relocate to neighbouring countries. In both cases, thousands of Nigerians were thrown out of jobs. May be this represent progress for Nigeria to Mallam Sanusi.
Since 1978 when General Obasanjo made the first increase in the price of petroleum products in Nigeria, the reasons have always been the same and the various governments always promised Nigerians that the proceeds will be used to repair and establish more refineries; repair/build roads; develop better infrastructures etc. We all know better now. None of these happened till date. What we've been having as ''benefits'' are deeper collapse of everything, even in the oil industry. What has happened over the years is the total collapse of industry' In Sanusi's Economics, unemployment and collapse of industry meant progress for Nigeria. Shioooor.
we remain opposed to further impoverishment of Nigerians through an achaic, warped, mindless and fraudulent economic policy which even Mr. President himself do not understand. He couldn't explain ''his government's'' economic policy to the Nigerian Senate. Only madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's unelected Prime Minister, understand what IMF gave to her to deliver to Nigerians. the same pills that have been rejected even in the United States and Europe. Greece is yet to overcome the pains inflicted on her citizens by these pills. Britain is sinking deeper and deeper in economic crisis. Americans have taken over Wall Street despite the use of pepper spray on peaceful, and unarmed protesters by agents of a government that is loud in claiming the best democratic credentials.
The opposition of majority of Nigerians to the removal of the so called subsidy on petroleum products is total and our collective determination to move people onto the streets should government ignore this opposition is very strong.
Nigerians are not as docile as government and its agents/apologists think.
The rest of us know and feel the anger heated up by the total collapse of everything in Nigeria, and Nigerians won't die in frustration this time around. We will all harness our angers, put them together and generate the energy needed to liberate ourselves from second slavery.
The moment there is an increase in fuel prices in Nigeria, Nigerians will demonstrate this commitment through mass protests. Yes, the government wiil attack protesters, some of us will be killed; some will be arrested; but we are all dead economically, so why fear death when the government is already killing us instalmentally?
He who is down should fear no further fall. Its those on top of trees that should be afraid of falling off the tree.
ARISE, NIGERIANS AND PREPARE TO OCCUPY THE STREETS. Chikena.
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