Sunday 1 January 2012

Fawehinmi, Falana, others protest against subsidy removal


Human rights activists, civil society groups and youths on Saturday in Ikeja, Lagos protested the Federal Government’s plan to remove the fuel subsidy

They also kicked against the introduction of exorbitant school fees at the Lagos State University.


The protest, which was organised by the family of late Gani Fawehinmi, had his wife, Ganiyat, his two sons Mohammed and Saheed; human rights lawyer, Femi Falana; and activist, Femi Aborishade, in attendance.

While Falana urged the FG to fight corruption in the oil industry, Mohammed Fawehinmi called on the National Assembly to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan, if he appears to be incompetent in solving the rising challenges facing Nigeria.

Fawehinmi said, “We believe fuel subsidy removal is a fraud. The government should come out to tell us the hidden agenda behind it. Fuel price increment at this time is going to spell a doom for the masses.

“They don’t have to give us huge figures in order to remove it. If the likes of Awolowo with the revenue generated from cocoa could make evergreen landmarks, then the government has no excuse with the huge money from oil.”

Fawehinmi added, “My father once told me that Nigeria made about $468bn from the oil and gas sector every month. They have eaten (embezzled) enough.”

He explained that the protest became necessary when some widows came to his residence to express their fears about the subsidy removal.

He added that government had failed to protect lives and properties.

“Heads of security agencies should put their heads down in shame. They should stop running to the press to announce every effort. The security sector is becoming like the Nollywood.

“If Jonathan is not careful, the blood of those who have died in the various Boko Haram massacre will bring his administration to a ruin,” Fawehinmi added.

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