Balarabe Musa, Pat Utomi, Idika Kalu; “Labour is wrong”

PRESS  STATEMENT  BY  COALITION OF  CIVIL SOCIETY  GROUPS
ON THE FUEL-PRICING IMBROGLIO;
AND INVITATION TO A PRESS CONFERENCE
MONDAY, 16TH JANUARY 2012 IN ANTHONY VILLAGE, LAGOS

On  Monday, 16

th January 2012, Nigerians woke up to find their streets  invaded  by soldiers all over the country. This was done in an apparent bid to stop the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly  and association of citizens as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.  Over the last 8 days, Nigerians in their millions all over the country, have been peacefully demanding that, as a very basic minimum,  the Federal Government should revert the price of petrol to N65.00 and enter into negotiations with representatives of civil society  and Labour to work on achieving a framework for deregulation.

We strongly condemn this deployment of soldiers and call for their immediate withdrawal from areas not declared to be under a state of emergency.

We reject the removal of the “purported” fuel subsidy and the unilateral imposition of N97.00 [ninety seven naira] as the pump price of petrol.

We dissociate from the decision of Labour to call off the national strike against the removal of fuel subsidy and thereby withdraw their members from the mass action being carried out by Nigerian citizens. We wish to emphasize that contrary to Labour’s claim, civil society was not consulted in the decisions leading up to this  unacceptable position by Labour.  Nigerians feel betrayed by Labour’s decision to call off the strike without achieving their minimum demand of reverting to N65.00 [sixty five naira].

We call on Nigerians to remain peaceful but resolute in the fight against corruption, wastage, and fraudulent cum incompetent management of our resources. Corruption is the principal cause of underdevelopment in Nigeria. We must continue to ask for transparency, accountability and good governance.

We commend Nigerians for their perseverance and endurance over these times and covenant to continue to work and sacrifice to bring about the Nigeria of their dream. We assure Nigerians that we shall continue the fight against the increase in their burden, which is a result of corruption and bad management of oil resources.

We continue our consultation with all of civil society, faith and youth groups and  we will communicate shortly the next line of action to be taken by Nigerians in the struggle. We encourage Nigerians to maintain the momentum against bad governance as a fundamental right. In defence of your liberty we advise that you to stay at home until the soldiers are withdrawn from the streets.

A press conference will be held at 12.00 noon, Tuesday, 17 January 2012 at Dr. Tunji Braithwaithe’s residence,

FOR CONVENERS:

PROF ANTHONY KILA                          NIKE RANSOME KUTI                          

Signed for and on behalf of the civil society groups present at a meeting convened today; Monday 16th January 2012 at Anthony Village, Lagos by

Professor Ben Nwabueze, Dr Tunji Braithwaithe, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Professor Pat Utomi

Comments (5)

  1. Can we not give this government a 6 month ultimatum. Whereby we list the progress we want to see achieved e.g. – reducing the cost of governance, fixing the refineries, making sure there is work towards ensuring stable electricity, cutting the allowance of ALL government officials etc. And set up committees to monitor this progress. If in 6 months we see no progress, then we OCCUPY again.

  2. This is wonderul! I really hope Nigerians would not forget in a hurry and become to relaxed and adjusted to being back-to-work! Forward ever, Backward never!

  3. Go ahead and occupy Naija. We r going bak

    2 our various businesses. The landlords are

    Not goin 2 extend our tenure, already

    We've lost the month of JAnuary.

    GOODLUCK in ur occupation!

  4. Go ahead and occupy Naija. We have business to run and the land

    Lords are not going to extend our tenure. We r going bak to our

    Businesses. As long as NLC agrees, we also agree! GOODLUCK in ur

    Occupation!

  5. We shall continue to fight against corruption thay has eaten into the fabrics of our society.we shall continue to OccupyNigeria until the desired result is achieved.

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