FUEL SCARCITY: NIGERIANS DESERVE SOME EXPLANATION
Nigerians don't ask for too much from their government at any level. They've seen men who would have been nothing in life without free public education destroy public schools, and they have come to live with it. They've lived in darkness for days or weeks at times. Some have lived in darkness for years or months. Yet Nigerians have not been protesting. They've lived in an environment without pipe borne water, and they have kept mute. They've seen nonvehicle worthy roads being constructed everywhere and they have remained silent. They've seen empty hospitals where there used to be medication and care, and they have borne the impact with unbelievable docility. They've seen millions of Dollars being directed towards refineries where no oil is refined, year after year. In fact, Nigerians have borne the incompetence and corruption of NNPC for decades until some profit was declared a year ago - and some people are getting paid to run that entity. They've seen the world's fifth largest producer of oil import refined oil and petroleum product, a scenario difficult to explain to sane minds. Now, they have serious fuel scarcity, and no one is telling Nigeians anything. If you ask me, the silence part is the saddest for me to stomach.
There is practically no form of hardship which Nigerians have not endured. When it comes to fuel however, it affects every aspect of the daily life. In a nation where some are ready to take advantage, they woke up to the scarcity which has lasted days now, without anyone saying when the scarcity will end, and most importantly the cause of the scarcity, while the situation becomes worse daily. The whole essence of democracy is that the people elect leaders, and the leaders are supposed to be accountable for everything which affect the masses. It is understandable the lack of care and silence under military draconian rules, but it is not acceptable that the leaders keep quiet in a civil rule. That is why it is called "civil" rule - that accountability part.
Who has the information? Who can say something to assuage the stress of Nigerians? What the spokespersons have to say does not even have to make sense. I am sure someone is being paid to let people know what is going on. Let there be no confusion, all I am saying is that, clearly, someone somewhere is not doing the job for which he or she is being paid. The danger is that, the silence of the masses can only last for so long when there is no explanation for the situation coming from the leaders. Before silence leads to protests and protests lead to demonstrations and demonstrations lead to chaos and chaos lead to violence and we experience the same fire brigade effort to quench demonstrations and now come with explanations which should have been given a long time ago, the Nigerian Government should address the nation on this pressing issue of fuel scarcity. To me, silence is not golden in a situation like this.
The Senate and House of Reps should have an emergency session. They represent the people for exactly a time like this.
CAVEAT: You don't have to agree with me. Air your opinion and let us have an intellectual debate. I am always open to superior arguments. Always. Of course, I know my party is in government, that is why I am in severe pain over this, as we were supposed to do better.
MAY GOD UPLIFT NIGERIA!!!
Barrister Wakil Oyeleru Oyedemi
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