On Thursday May 12 2016, the federal government of Nigeria announced the removal of subsidy for the sale of petrol with immediate effect, placing the price at N145 per litre from N86. The reaction of Nigerians to this news is surprising, as the general public is, for the most part, remarkably silent. However, when this same decision was taken by the former administration, there was mass unrest throughout the nation as Nigerians #OccupyNigeria in a widespread, and largely publicized protest.
When Buhari’s government announced the removal of subsidy, Nigerians were like:
“As long as there’s fuel, readily, no wahala.”
If removal of fuel subsidy is going to ensure I drive in to any filling station to buy fuel without queues, so be it.
— A Big Nwa (@Oddy4real) May 11, 2016
But when President Jonathan announced the removal of subsidy in 2012, it was:
“We no go gree. We will #OccupyNigeria”
“Jonathan must go!”
Seun Kuti, Omoyele Sowore, and the likes were spitting fire:
“This is a callous decision by our government.”
Now they are like:
“Bubu why nau?”
Oby Ezekwesili in 2012:
“Aah! Jona, you must bring back our subsidy!”
Oby Ezekwesili in 2016, she has turned an expert on deregulation:
With a modicum of responsible public finance management (especially oil revenue), a holistic Deregulation by this FG should be positive.YES
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 11, 2016
As a proponent of Market Economy, subsidy removal is a good policy. As Policy scholar, CONTEXT is EVERYTHING.Thanks! https://t.co/MqYmHyb929
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 11, 2016
There's strong body of academic evidence of how the character of an Administration can make a good policy harmful! https://t.co/LURIwE4JPo
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 11, 2016
This is Dino Melaye and Nasir El Rufai protesting subsidy removal in 2012:
This is what Nigerians get from them today:
Dino wants to wait seven days before organising the “mother of all protest.”
Thankfully, Nigerians are beginning to see the double standard, and call out the hypocrites for what they really are:
—–> Simple Question: Why was subsidy removal wrong in 2012 but right in 2016?
Just explain, no be fight.— The Grammar Police (@GrammarpoliceNG) May 12, 2016
Right now, GEJ be like, “oya, you pipu should answer.”
I am in support of Fuel Subsidy removal. I am not in support of Hypocrisy. #OccupyNigeria was fake.
— ofilispeaks (@ofilispeaks) May 11, 2016
And Patience be like, “Nigerians, my husband was right afterall.”
Where is Bubu in all this?
At least GEJ had the courage to tell us about the subsidy removal in 2012 himself. This one ran to London & sent Kachikwu
— Igala_Ọkùnrin_Mẹsan (@i_am_Anomeli) May 11, 2016
“Kachukwu go and deliver the message, I’ll return when things have calmed down.”