₦airaland Forum

There are RULES for Chieftancy titles. in each State of Nigeria. Fact.
This is to ensure legality for traditional and ancestral institutions in the country. Without this ANYBODY or group can take whatever titles they want in any community and the traditional institutions will lose relevance.

That is why there are procedures to the Obi, Oba, Emir, or traditional ruler of any community in each state. State Governments have the final AUTHORITY to confer such titles at formal coronation ceremonies. Sometimes the selection process drags into the courstas various ANCESTRAL families battle for the title.

Traditional title holders in turn can confer Traditional as specified by the traditions . They may also confer Honourary titles as they deem fit. Honourary tiles are NOT given by right but as a PRIVILEGE.



Therefore NO tribal group whether Ijaw, Annag, Itshekiri, Edo, or any over 250 DIFFERRENT TRIBES can ON ITS OWN confer any traditional Title
on any member of their group. NONE. It would be Illegal and such person or persons should be arrested and jailed by the same laws that prevent a Kachikwu Okonkwo from declaring himself the Asagba of Asaba or the Obi of Onitsha.
.

How would you FEEL if Alhaji Sanusi Buhari is declared BY HIS TRIBES MEN as the SARKIN FULANi of Onitsha ? or Ibadan ? or Jos ? or Yenagoa ?
How would you FEEL if Adamu Igbira is declared BY HIS TRIBES MEN as the OHI NOYI of Port Harcourt ? or Uyo ? or Kano ? or Ilorin ?


Tribal Organizatiosn and associations such as the Tribes Development Unions, Miyetti Allah Fulani, etc must be registered with the CAC as Non-profit organizations with stated constitution that will stipulate the leadership hierachy of the organization. the CAC will NOT and has never licenced any NGO or tribal organization to take Chieftancy titles. NEVER


It is sad and shameful that State Governments and politicians are allowing this NONSENSE to fester.

It is ALWAYS about a particular section of the country for whom the civil war never ended and which remains resolute to TAKE OVER other people's land, culture and traditions. They are always playing the VICTIM when in fact they are the aggressor.

babadem2much:
i really appreciate ur urgent concern n responce. God bless and keep you all. i will act urgently because immedietly i start treatment it will dry up n disappear but after some months it will start itching.

MAY GOD REWARD U ALL

I am not a dermatologist. The key is that you are getting RE_INFECTED after each treatment. May I suggest that you look into what you eat especially CORN, GROUNDNUTS which are known to have very high levels of Aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are NOT killed or destroyed by high temperatures. If you eat a lot of these stuff perhaps you should consider staying off them after treatment from Fluconazole.

On PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

During the elections of 1959, the Action Group made some calculations to the effect that if they can get Yoruba votes, the minorities in the north and some part of the east, they would be the biggest party at the time. And because the country was practicing a parliamentary system at the time, the party with the highest number of parliamentarians forms the government.

NPC on the other hand, also made its own calculations and realise that more than half the people of Nigeria were in the north. So it did not field even a single candidate in the South; they just stayed in the north and worked hard to have full control of the region.



ON APC
The Yoruba have foresight, in the last election, they supported Ribadu, but they honestly knew he could not win. You also knew he could not win, I knew he could not win, in fact even Ribadu knew he could not win, and because they knew he could not win, they did not even bother to vote for him.

Yes, what I want you to understand is that they were just using us. They supported Ribadu because they knew he would not win, and they would not even vote for him. And now, they would still support another northern candidate, whether he wins or not, they don’t care. In fact they already knew it cannot be won.

But in the election that would follow the next one, it may be their turn to produce the candidate, do you think there is a northerner that would not support a Yoruba candidate? And by then, the Yoruba folk would come out en masse to vote for one of their own.


ON BUHARI

Generally the idea is that Buhari had been planning to topple Shagari even before Shagari was sworn in !!.

In the book I was telling you about, they said Obasanjo told Umaru Shinkafi, that shortly after the election of 1979, some military officers went to him and informed him not to hand over to Shagari. Obasanjo told them that he had already told the world he was going to hand over power, and that he inherited the office, after a coup attempt that was not successful. He stated that his predecessor promised to hand over, and it means he must hand over.

Obasanjo also told them that he has initiated an election process which was successful. Shagari won, people went to court and he won there as well. ‘So on what grounds should I tell the world I would not hand over to him? Who do you even want me to hand over to? And they said, ’hand over to Buhari’!’
So even before power was handed over to Shagari, the military attempted to steal it and hand over to Buhari. So it wasn’t about bribery and corruption or not to hand over to Alex Ekwueme. I am not the first person to say this; the boys who published Shagari’s book said it first. But, I have also relayed it in my book. And I will give you a copy to go and read.

This website seems to be populated by young people.

The opinions of adults who lived in Nigeria under the military is very different from those of idealistic young men who think "revolutions" are romantic.

Just for the records, almost every revolutionaire became a worsr dictator that the person he dethroned. (Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Fidel Castro etc).

Without a doubt economic progress comes from long sustained periods of relative peace. Hence the rapid growth of the world in the last 100 years versus the periods of the wars of the 12th to 16th centuries.

Anyway please find here a few articles about the killing of Kudirat Abiola.

That she was KILLED by agents of the Federal Nigerian Government should not be in doubt.

Then form your opinions.
A former Court of Appeal judge resigns from the case over alledged interference here http://news.naij.com/38711.html

A witness at the killing here: http://ofilis1234./2007/11/28/how-we-killed-kudirat-abiola-witness/

Al-Mustapha here: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/abdulsalami-wanted-obj-killed-al-mustapha/

@lacasa
@GenBuhari

You have been trolling in spirited defence of your man.

A few comments.

The only Federal Administration that had the Head of State and his deputy from the same region: General Muhammadu Buhari (HOS) and Brig. Gen Tunde Idiagbon (both Northerners).

The only Federal Administration that had the Head of State and his deputy from the same region: General Muhammadu Buhari (HOS) and Brig. Gen Tunde Idiagbon (both muslims). The CAN fielded a Muslim/Muslim presidential candidate team in the last elections too.


Gen Buhari is the only former Head of the Nigerian state that became a the leader of a tribal/ethnic AFTER leaving office. He PERSONALLY lead the Fulani Miyetti-Allah cattle rearers group to harass the the late former governor of Oyo Stae, Chief Lam Adfesina. As an aside,Miyetti-Allah card holders do not need any national passport to cross contry borders in West Africa.

You can read this:

http://www.naijapundit.com/news/how-buhari-confronted-lam-adesina-over-death-of-fulani

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/11/day-lam-adesina-clashed-with-buhari-marwa-others/



How Buhari Confronted Lam Adesina Over Death of Fulani

141112F2.Lam-Adesina.jpg - 141112F2.Lam-Adesina.jpg

Lam Onaolapo Adesina


By Kehinde Olaosebikan
Alhaji Lam Onaolapo Adesina, Oyo State Governor from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2003, passed onto glory peacefully on Sunday, 11th of November after over 73 years of a very successful sojourn on earth. Adesina rose to the pinnacle of all his callings in life. He got to the zenith of his career as a teacher; as a social crusader he got state recognition and was tagged “prisoner of war”; and politically he did not only realise his ambition of becoming the governor of his state, he achieved the extra-ordinary by installing a governor, not while in power but eight years after he had left office.

Since Sunday, torrents of tributes have been pouring in from various quarters, all extolling the virtues of Adesina. He has been described in many superlative words, establishing the fact that he was a great man. But how great really was the husband of the benign Alhaja Sarat Adeola Adesina? As his Chief Press Secretary while he served as the governor of Oyo State, I will transmit a story of how the former governor tamed a former military Head of State and prevented what could have led to the Nigerian second civil war.

It was on October 13, 2000, when words went round that General Muhammadu Buhari was leading the Arewa team to the governor’s office to confront the state over alleged killings of Fulani cattle rearers in Saki, Oke Ogun area of the state. Buhari did actually telephone the governor that he was leading a team to his office.

In less than 30 minutes after the General informed the governor of his visit, we noticed that the entire secretariat was already filled with lorry loads of our brothers from the North. This created some tension but we kept our calm. About 2pm, Buhari arrived in a long convoy at the governor’s office in company with the former governor of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, Alhaji Aliko Muhammed, Alhaji Abdulrazak, Alhaji Hassan and some others. They all wore long faces. In fact, the anger and venom in them was very palpable as all pleasantries extended to them were largely shunned.
“This is trouble” was the expression on the faces of all of us in the governor’s office.
Shortly afterwards, the Director of State Security Service and Commissioner of Police arrived. But their presence did not change anything in particular on the fears that had already gripped majority of us. The two security chiefs did not come with any troops, they came almost alone.

The meeting was called to order after Adesina serenely walked into the Executive Chambers in his well embroidered multi colour lace. Introductions over, Buhari spoke about his mission to the governor’s office. Emitting fire, the General accused the governor and the government of Oyo State of complicity in the killings of over 68 Fulani people in Oke Ogun area and perversion of justice.

His words: “Your Excellency, our arrival here is to discuss with you and your government our displeasure about the incident of clashes between two peoples…The Fulani cattle rearers and merchants are today being harassed, attacked and killed in Saki like in any war. In the month of May 2000, 68 bodies of Fulani cattle rearers were recovered and buried under the supervision and protection from a team of Mobile Police from Oyo State Command. As weighty and indicting as the General’s allegations were against the governor, Adesina remained unperturbed. He only fired back with his own well coordinated arsenals in form of robust explanations and engagements.
Adesina identified all the points raised by the General and simply asked the heads of the organisations directly involved to respond to the allegations made by the General.

First to speak was the Commissioner of Police who debunked all the claims made by the General. Instead of the claims by General that the natives were killing the Fulanis, police commissioner said pointedly that the opposite was the case.“The killings of the natives by the Fulanis were duly reported to the police and, of course, we can’t make arrest because as soon as they kill they migrate to other areas. Who are you going to arrest? So that is the problem.”

On the contrary, on the killings of the Fulani, which he said was as result of “piled up anger”, the commissioner disclosed that arrests had been made and the suspects were still in police custody.

Next was the Director of Security Service, who equally tore all the claims of Buhari to shreds. They stated the true positions of things in the area, corroborating the submissions of the security chiefs. At this point, all the tensions and apprehensions evaporated.

Buhari and his team did not wait for any refreshments. They came in with anger and left with misery. ADIEU! GREAT LAM!
Trust Adesina any day! He must rub it in. He spoke for about 20 minutes and the Generals were at the edges of their seats for the entire period. They were like chickens that have just been thoroughly beaten by the rain.

Adesina began, “Before I thank you for this visit, you have come to tell me something, I also want to tell you something and that something is to make an appeal. General Buhari has been a former Head of State, Brigadier Marwa has governed Lagos for some time and with credibility… so you are national leaders of this country. Even though, by accident of birth, you are from the North, so you can be born anywhere, may be next time when I am coming to the world I will be born in the North or the South-south.

“My appeal will be that effort must be made to unite this country and that will be to the best interest of all Nigerians. I am appealing to the Arewa Consultative Forum under which auspices our distinguished Nigerians are here, in recent times, they have been sending wrong signals to a number of us who believe in the unity and peace of Nigeria. You have been too critical of the efforts of the federal government. I am saying this because Nigeria at this point cannot afford to break and words you northern leaders utter are very weighty, at the South here, we normally analyse them critically.”

On the allegations, Adesina said: “From what they have written in the petition, this government is completely blameless because we don’t interfere either with the judiciary or with the police functions. I always canvass peaceful coexistence (among those) living in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. We are all Nigerians and that is what we have been preaching all along and we shall continue to be Nigerians, no matter the present or immediate problems which will be solved by the grace of Allah.

“I want to say also that we really have to appeal to our people, the itinerant Bororo people, that they should observe less aggression. It is not good, it is not right just coming from somewhere then you just pass through farmlands cultivated, may be with the person’s life savings and then over night everything is gone. That is not right, even Allah does not approve of that. We even wonder when they talk about this people carrying dangerous weapons, I say do they really believe in Allah? When you just take life like that and go away! Are we not forbidden to take human life? So I think General Buhari, General Marwa, you have to be educating them… It is my pleasure to inform you that at the Presidential Lodge, we have made some arrangements for refreshments so that before you go we can refresh together.”

• Olaosebikan was Chief Press Secretary to Adesina from 1999 to 2003.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is a shame the protest has gone personal. How do you determine guilt ? Who is the judge and who is the jury ?

In my opinion, there are three possible outcomes to this Fuel Subsidy Removal (FSR) protest.

a) FSR is reversed and petrol goes back to N65 per litre.
This outcome is not impossible because that is the objective of the protest?
However it is unlikely because if the government backs down then it will have a major challenge with removing other subsidies on PHCN's electricity, Agriculture's fertilizer etc.

Anyway as was mentioned at the protest rally on Monday, the 3 tiers of government MIGHT have already shared the subsidy which makes a reversal tough as state governments will have to re-work their budgets.


b) FSR is retained and petrol sells at market determined prices depending on the fuel station, the location, exchange rates etc. This is the governments objective.

c) We grudgingly accept the deregulated petrol prices but we want government to tackle corruption by SHOWING that the subsidy gains will be well utilized. In that case the best approach is to ENSURE that the subsidy gains are enshrined in the BUDGETS of the various governments.

A little education here. Before last year, the budgets were always shrouded in secrecy. Only the outline or summary figures were read not the details. Hence there was no way to confirm adherence to budgets by all the 3 tiers of government.

But PRESIDENT JONATHAN signed the Freedom of Information Act last year and now you can demand, disclose, review and comment on GOVERNMENT RECORDS including BUDGETS. You could NOT do this before.

This is the CHANGE, the difference promised. The fight against corruption has shifted from the PERSONALITIES in the EFCC and the Judiciary to we the people.

Please review this links about the FOI ACT:

i) http://transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4993:foi-act-the-challenge-of-official-secret-act&catid=119:kayode-ajulo&Itemid=37

ii) http://expertscolumn.com/content/analysis-freedom-information-bill-nigeria

Following the FOI Act, the PROPOSED budget of the Federal Government is now available at this link:

http://www.budgetoffice.gov.ng/2012_budget_proposal.html

The government is already practicing disclosure. You can still influence the budget because it still a proposal.
It is available for individuals, clubs, organisations, universities to review, critique and influence. Both the NLC and NBA should review and make their comments known to the budget office or to the National Assembly. That is called lobbying.

Before you complain about the amount PROPOSED to furnish an executives office or for afternoon for EACH member of the House of Representatives, you should also review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whether its the responsibility of Government to furnish the executive's office or to provide tea or money in lieu to members of the House of reps.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is here: http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm

We can reason for that is why we are human or we can follow the mob because we also human.

It is a shame the protest has gone personal. How do you determine guilt ? Who is the judge and who is the jury ?

The so-called "cabal list of beneficiaries of subsidy" includes very legitimate business with valid claims.


In my opinion, there are three possible outcomes to this Fuel Subsidy Removal (FSR) protest.

a) FSR is reversed and petrol goes back to N65 per litre.
This outcome is not impossible because that is the objective of the protest?
However it is unlikely because if the government backs down then it will have a major challenge with removing other subsidies on PHCN's electricity, Agriculture's fertilizer etc.

Anyway as was mentioned at the protest rally on Monday, the 3 tiers of government MIGHT have already shared the subsidy which makes a reversal tough as state governments will have to re-work their budgets.


b) FSR is retained and petrol sells at market determined prices depending on the fuel station, the location, exchange rates etc. This is the governments objective.

c) We grudgingly accept the deregulated petrol prices but we want government to tackle corruption by SHOWING that the subsidy gains will be well utilized. In that case the best approach is to ENSURE that the subsidy gains are enshrined in the BUDGETS of the various governments.

A little education here. Before last year, the budgets were always shrouded in secrecy. Only the outline or summary figures were read not the details. Hence there was no way to confirm adherence to budgets by all the 3 tiers of government.

But PRESIDENT JONATHAN signed the Freedom of Information Act last year and now you can demand, disclose, review and comment on GOVERNMENT RECORDS including BUDGETS. You could NOT do this before.

This is the CHANGE, the difference promised. The fight against corruption has shifted from the PERSONALITIES in the EFCC and the Judiciary to we the people.

Please review this links about the FOI ACT:

i) http://transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4993:foi-act-the-challenge-of-official-secret-act&catid=119:kayode-ajulo&Itemid=37

ii) http://expertscolumn.com/content/analysis-freedom-information-bill-nigeria

Following the FOI Act, the PROPOSED budget of the Federal Government is now available at this link:

http://www.budgetoffice.gov.ng/2012_budget_proposal.html

The government is already practicing disclosure. You can still influence the budget because it still a proposal.
It is available for individuals, clubs, organisations, universities to review, critique and influence. Both the NLC and NBA should review and make their comments known to the budget office or to the National Assembly. That is called lobbying.

Before you complain about the amount PROPOSED to furnish an executives office or for afternoon for EACH member of the House of Representatives, you should also review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whether its the responsibility of Government to furnish the executive's office or to provide tea or money in lieu to members of the House of reps.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is here: http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm

We can reason for that is why we are human or we can follow the mob because we also human.

In my opinion, there are three possible outcomes to this protest.

a) FSR is reversed and petrol goes back to N65 per litre.
This outcome is not impossible because that is the objective of the protest?
However it is unlikely because if the government backs down then it will have a major challenge with removing other subsidies on PHCN's electricity, Agriculture's fertilizer etc.

Anyway as was mentioned at the protest rally on Monday, the 3 tiers of government MIGHT have already shared the subsidy which makes a reversal tough as state governments will have to re-work their budgets.


b) FSR is retained and petrol sells at market determined prices depending on the fuel station, the location, exchange rates etc. This is the governments objective.

c) We grudgingly accept the deregulated petrol prices but we want government to tackle corruption by SHOWING that the subsidy gains will be well utilized. In that case the best approach is to ENSURE that the subsidy gains are enshrined in the BUDGETS of the various governments.

A little education here. Before last year, the budgets were really shrouded in secrecy.

But PRESIDENT JONATHAN signed the Freedom of Information Act last year and now you can demand, disclose, review and comment on GOVERNMENT RECORDS including BUDGETS. You could NOT do this before.

This is the CHANGE, the difference. The fight against corruption has shifted from the PERSONALITIES in the EFCC and the Judiciary to we the people.

Please review this links about the FOI ACT:

i) http://transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4993:foi-act-the-challenge-of-official-secret-act&catid=119:kayode-ajulo&Itemid=37

ii) http://expertscolumn.com/content/analysis-freedom-information-bill-nigeria

Following the FOI Act, the PROPOSED budget of the Federal Government is now available at this link:

http://www.budgetoffice.gov.ng/2012_budget_proposal.html

The government is already practicing disclosure. You can still influence the budget because it still a proposal.
It is available for individuals, clubs, organisations, universities to review, critique and influence. Both the NLC and NBA should review and make their comments known to the budget office or to the National Assembly. That is called lobbying.

Before you complain about the amount PROPOSED to furnish an executives office or for afternoon for EACH member of the House of Representatives, you should also review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whether its the responsibility of Government to furnish the executive's office or to provide tea or money in lieu to members of the House of reps.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is here: http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm

@alj harem,

a) Nigeria did NOT pay US$34 billion to foreign creditors else there would have been to celebrate OBJ and NOI for at that time.
b) The government should NOT be in the business of building refineries. Our telecomms improved when the government got out that business. private sector is saving public education system.
c) Concerning oil tanks and oil storage. Actually there are PIPELINES and NNPC Storage depots in place at Ejigbo (Lagos) Ore, Mosinmi etc.
But the operative s and the executives in NNPC won't allow those to work so that they can collect money on transport using trailers.

People, I have a fun day discussing on this forums. That has been a most Productive way of spending the day in the office.

Someone called SWAGGER has a good EXTRACT of the FGN's Budget on this forum. I have provided a link to my comments.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-837675.768.html

While you read it please remember the follwing:

a) President Jonathan REPEALED the Official Secrets ACT. That is why you can now see, review, criticise the budget of ANY GORVERNMENT of NIGERIA. Before he REPEALED it was a CRIME to demand or disclose the details of ANY governments( Federal State or Local) budget.
That was the basis of corruption in Nigeria.
GEJ SHOULD BE COMMENDED by the NBA, the NLC, PAsuma, Pastor Bakare and every Nigerian for that.

b) For your eyes only the National Budget is here: http://www.budgetoffice.gov.ng/2012_budget_proposal.html

c) Accept the Fuel Subsidy removal.

d) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the CBN Governor was the first to last year draw attention to the 25% of the National budget that was expended on the National Assembly.
He is a HEROE of the reform. Not the villain.
Guys you are fighting the wron people.

I have several other posts today solely on the Fuel Subsidy Removal.

Of course you have your opinions and I have mine. We may disagree but we should not be enemies.



Till tomorrow.

Why was Obasanjo able to pay off our national debt worth billions of dollars while retaining fuel subsidy?
  OBJ, a good man, did not PAY off our National debts. The debts were FORGIVEN / WRITTEN OFF by our Creditors.  Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala helped with the negoatitions.[/i]Why was Obasanjo able to build up our foreign reserves into billions of dollars while subsidy was still on? [i]The price and volume of crude oil increased significantly during OBJ's 8 years. Since the reserves were low when he came in, logically they went up.[/color]Why did Obasanjo still launch some projects, like satellite, while subsidy was on? Because he had more revenues from privatised telecoms, crude oil prices and crude oil volumes, Govt assets privatised.[color=#990000]Why was subsidy money in the billions while others were in government but went into trillions just few months into Jonathan`s government? The budget was Governments intentions. The process was hijacked the fraudsters - customs officials, oil marketers, businessmen, NNPC officials etc and they generated VAST AMOUNTS OF FICTITOUS DOCUMENTS for oil that NEVER came in. Please read CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido's presentation to the Village/ Townhall meeting.
Why were the implicated subsidy beneficiaries(oil cabals) not punished by Jonathan? He will have to use the EFCC and the Judiciary. But they are THOUSANDS of people involved. The EFCC can still prosecute the criminals.

Please see page of this Thread for scandalous extracts of the National Budget.
Then read my post there and elsewhere.


https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-842823.64.html

@Stagger.

THANK YOU FOR THE BUDGET EXTRACTS.


That is the point of my previous posts.

a) Stagger, you have access to the Details of the National Budget BECAUSE PRESIDDENT JONATHAN REPEALED THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT last year.

Before then, sir, it was a CRIME punishable with Imprisonment for anyone to demand por disclose the details of ANY GOVERNMENT's (Federal, State or Local) budget.

b) Now lets us review and CUT THE CORRUPTION from the system using the BUDGET.
c) Do this for all government budgets.

Good work @Stagger.

For @alj harem
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-842109.0.html

@Damola,

The failure of the judicial system is not that of GEJ, NOI or SLS.

Each of us is responsible for where we are.

I believe some people will say Fashola (Lagos), Lamido (Jigawa), Saraki (when he was inKwara) did well.

However if we keep having REPEATED FAILURES then it is not the personalities but the PROCESS.

Hence we should focus Budgets. That is what is used in Europe and North America to fight corruption. We debate and agree the budget (federal, state and local) and we ensure ADHERENCE.

Once the gains of FSR are ENSHRINE in Budgets , then we monitor performance.

@Dazzel:  The price of diesel has not fallen below N100 because it based on market forces just the price of yam, plantain, motor cars etc.

Please people Ngozi and Lamido are NOT  POLITICIANS.

They are are on your SIDE fighting CORRUPTION but our emotions are clouding our judgement.
Sanusi had been shouting since last year that the Federal Government is made to pay the PERSONAL expenses of the National Assembly members.

Whatever the subsidy N1.3 trillion or whatever, Pastor Bakare told us yesterday that the subsidy will be shared by the Federal State and Local governments.

If you do not trust the Federal Government, the State  Government and your Local Government then there is a real issue.

Yet after all the rhetoric, it is government workers that will CLEAN the streets of the filth that the protesters left behind.

With one breath we hate governments but some are doing quite well within the limits of their BUDGETS.

You reading this post MOST LIKELY send your children to private schools. Why not to SUBSIDIZED government schools ? Because subsidies killed our public education at all levels.

Your PHCN energy is subsidized and that is why it does Not and will not work.
Obasanjo did NOT blow US$16 billion on subsidy. His NIPP plan was on course until, wait for it, the NLC and The House of Reps (Ndudi Elumelu) started a useless probe that deraile the program. The same NLC is till stalling the program

Please remeber that there are processes and procedures for PUNISHING SUSPECTS. Speaker Bankole was alleged to have borrowed N40 billion, after spending the enire budgetary allocation, to spend on the members of the House of Reps. The case is in court (Judiciary). A fpormer Minister of Works is in court for stealing N70 billion.

People GEJ Cannot just ORDER that such and such be locked up. He can't.

Yes we are outraged but we have to work within processes.

The NLC protested the privatization of NITEL.
Till today NITEL is still government owned and subsidized.

But technology allowed the organized private sector to circumvent NITEL and its apparatus and our Telecoms industry was reborn. Hence your phones work and we can post on forums while protesters sweat in the harmattan sun.

NLC is protesting the Reform of the Power sector. The Oil Sector. The Railways.

UNTIL WE HAVE A GOOD TRANSPARENT, BUDGET SYSTEM, The embezzlement and corruption will CONTINUE.

It is NOT the persons, it is the PROCESS.

Even "clean man" Gen. Buhari had the small matter of 53 suitcase.

Fix the process people. Remove subsidies on CONSUMPTION.

Government SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for the personal expenses of Ministers, Legislatures etc.

People I am in my office not at home. Nothing is happening hence I have the time to post on a forum like this.

This is about FIGHTING CORRUPTION.  

The Budget (Federal, State, Local) is the MASTER DOCUMENT for government's revenu and exependiture.
That is the INSTRUMENT that is used to tackle corruption AT SOURCE not the after-the-act EFFC and the Judiciary where members of the NBA make their money.

Lawyers make money from Conflicts, they represent ALL the SIDES to the Conflict for a fee !

If you are protesting because you agree with the NLC that PMS (petrol) costs N40 a litre to produce please remember that one litre of bottled water sells fro N80 a litre, beer sells for N150 to N200 a litre.

If your are outraged about the profligacy and execesses of the members of the national assembly who pay themselves about N150,000 for as tea allowance and unmentionable sums for foreign trips for Shopping, then you SHOULD BE SUPPORTING SANUSI LAMIDO AND OKONJO IWEALLA. !!!


Remember that last year Sanusi Lamido, the CBN Governor raised the alarm that 25 % of the National budget is appropriated by the National Senate and the House of Representatives. The NLC and the NBA did not support and neither DID YOU.

These CBN Governor and the Minister of Finance are fighting CORRUPTION.

People you should be supporing them.

GEJ has REPEALED the Official Secrets Act that the military and past governments had been hiding under to STEAL our money.


GEJ has started very well. He REPEALED THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT in 2010. That little known decree was the basis of Nigeria's corruption.

Since time lost until year, under the Official Secrets Act, it ILLEGAL punishable by IMPRISONMENT for anyone to ask for or to Disclose the DETAILS of ANY GOVERNMENT BUDGET !!!!.  

YES !!

By repealing the relevant parts of the Official Secrets Act, you and I can now ask for the full details of all government budgets ( Federal, State and Local). We should COMMEND GEJ !!!.

But under military rule every 1st of January, the National Budget was read to the solemn national anthem. The leaders the proceeded to spend the money as they wished.

Recall also that in 1999 that it was AFTER OBJ was sworn in as President that Gen. Abubakar gave OBJ the 1999 Constitution. Since then we have been operating a democracy with a MILITARY mindset. Every "leader" is a "commmander". Speaker Bankole locked out the ELECTED members ofHouse of Rep memebers who accus him of corruption and demanded an apology before he would PERMIT them to return.

Because of the  immunity and  impunity, Corruption became endemic.

With our access to the details of government budgets, we can see the bloat in goverment expenditure.

The Government should be RESPONSIBLE for housing or  feeding ministers, government executives or legislatures.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing  from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED.  The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

The South East and South South are correct not to interfere. They bear the brunt of the oil leaks, the militancy and the kidnapping industry that it spawned. Anyway petrol had always sold for more than N65 a litre.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

The South East and South South are correct not to interfere. They bear the brunt of the oil leaks, the militancy and the kidnapping industry that it spawned. Anyway petrol had always sold for more than N65 a litre.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

The South East and South South are correct not to interfere. They bear the brunt of the oil leaks, the militancy and the kidnapping industry that it spawned. Anyway petrol had always sold for more than N65 a litre.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

People please do not turn Violent.

This is about FIGHTING CORRUPTION. The Budget (Federal, State, Local) is the MASTER DOCUMENT for government's revenu and exependiture.
That is the INSTRUMENT that is used to tackle corruption AT SOURCE not the after-the-act EFFC and the Judiciary where members of the NBA make tgheir money.


GEJ should NOT REVERSE the fuel subsidy.

Consumption should NOT be subsidized.

In fact he has other SUBSIDIES to REMOVE ( PHCN, Agriculture, Road/Railroads).

GEJ has started very well. He REPEALED THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT in 2010. That little know decree was the basis of Nigeria's corruption.

Since time lost until year, under the Official Secrets Act, it ILLEGAL punishable by IMPRISONMENT for anyone to ask for or to Disclose the DETAILS of ANY GOVERNMENT BUDGET !!!!.

YES !!

By repealing the relevant parts of the Official Secrets Act, you and I can now ask for the full details of all government budgets ( Federal, State and Local). We should COMMEND GEJ !!!.

But under military rule every 1st of January, the National Budget was read to the solemn national anthem. The leaders the proceeded to spend the money as they wished.

Recall also that in 1999 that it was AFTER OBJ was sworn in as President that Gen. Abubakar gave OBJ the 1999 Constitution. Since then we have been operating a democracy with a MILITARY mindset. Every "leader" is a "commmander". Speaker Bankole locked out the ELECTED members ofHouse of Rep memebers who accus him of corruption and demanded an apology before he would PERMIT them to return.

Because of the immunity and impunity, Corruption became endemic.

With our access to the details of government budgets, we can see the bloat in goverment expenditure.

The Government should be RESPONSIBLE for housing or feeding ministers, government executives or legislatures.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

Protests about Fuel Subsidy Removal (FSR). Success or Failure ?

Success or Failure depends on who and where.

On another thread in this forum.
a) The South East were apprently not interested in the protest.
b) Neither is the North Central except maybe Kwara State.
c) North east has BH to worry about and not FSR.
d) South West (Lagos) and North West (Kano) have been the relatively most active. even then it has not been the tsunami that was feared.


This is about FIGHTING CORRUPTION. The Budget (Federal, State, Local) is the MASTER DOCUMENT for government's revenu and exependiture.
That is the INSTRUMENT that is used to tackle corruption AT SOURCE not the after-the-act EFFC and the Judiciary where members of the NBA make tgheir money.


GEJ should NOT REVERSE the fuel subsidy.

Consumption should NOT be subsidized.

In fact he has other SUBSIDIES to REMOVE ( PHCN, Agriculture, Road/Railroads).

GEJ has started very well. He REPEALED THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT in 2010. That little know decree was the basis of Nigeria's corruption.

Since time lost until year, under the Official Secrets Act, it ILLEGAL punishable by IMPRISONMENT for anyone to ask for or to Disclose the DETAILS of ANY GOVERNMENT BUDGET !!!!.

YES !!

By repealing the relevant parts of the Official Secrets Act, you and I can now ask for the full details of all government budgets ( Federal, State and Local). We should COMMEND GEJ !!!.

But under military rule every 1st of January, the National Budget was read to the solemn national anthem. The leaders the proceeded to spend the money as they wished.

Recall also that in 1999 that it was AFTER OBJ was sworn in as President that Gen. Abubakar gave OBJ the 1999 Constitution. Since then we have been operating a democracy with a MILITARY mindset. Every "leader" is a "commmander". Speaker Bankole locked out the ELECTED members ofHouse of Rep memebers who accus him of corruption and demanded an apology before he would PERMIT them to return.

Because of the immunity and impunity, Corruption became endemic.

With our access to the details of government budgets, we can see the bloat in goverment expenditure.

The Government should be RESPONSIBLE for housing or feeding ministers, government executives or legislatures.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

People please do not turn Violent.

This is about FIGHTING CORRUPTION. The Budget (Federal, State, Local) is the MASTER DOCUMENT for government's revenu and exependiture.
That is the INSTRUMENT that is used to tackle corruption AT SOURCE not the after-the-act EFFC and the Judiciary where members of the NBA make tgheir money.


GEJ should NOT REVERSE the fuel subsidy.

Consumption should NOT be subsidized.

In fact he has other SUBSIDIES to REMOVE ( PHCN, Agriculture, Road/Railroads).

GEJ has started very well. He REPEALED THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT in 2010. That little know decree was the basis of Nigeria's corruption.

Since time lost until year, under the Official Secrets Act, it ILLEGAL punishable by IMPRISONMENT for anyone to ask for or to Disclose the DETAILS of ANY GOVERNMENT BUDGET !!!!.

YES !!

By repealing the relevant parts of the Official Secrets Act, you and I can now ask for the full details of all government budgets ( Federal, State and Local). We should COMMEND GEJ !!!.

But under military rule every 1st of January, the National Budget was read to the solemn national anthem. The leaders the proceeded to spend the money as they wished.

Recall also that in 1999 that it was AFTER OBJ was sworn in as President that Gen. Abubakar gave OBJ the 1999 Constitution. Since then we have been operating a democracy with a MILITARY mindset. Every "leader" is a "commmander". Speaker Bankole locked out the ELECTED members ofHouse of Rep memebers who accus him of corruption and demanded an apology before he would PERMIT them to return.

Because of the immunity and impunity, Corruption became endemic.

With our access to the details of government budgets, we can see the bloat in goverment expenditure.

The Government should be RESPONSIBLE for housing or feeding ministers, government executives or legislatures.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

to @LeoMax,


That list includes several LEGITIMATE business. The subsidy is supposed to work as follows.

The importer buys and pays landed cost of say N135 per litre. But since petrol must be sold at N65 per litre, the NNPC on behalf of the FGN REFUNDS N70 per lire (the subsidy).

The problem is that the processes and procedures have been corrupted by executives in the oil industry and Nigerian Customs who using DOCUMENTS have perfected the FRAUD.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's detailed and factual analysis of how these executives steal our money. I can send you a link.

And finally anytime you read that refine petrol should not cost more than N40 per litre please remember that bottled water sells for at least N80 per litre and a bottle of beer goes for N150 a litre.

Of course we should respect each others opinions.

He shoudl NOT REVERSE himself.

Consumption should NOT be subsidized.

In fact he has other SUBSIDIES to REMOVE ( PHCN, Agriculture, Road/Railroads).

GEJ has started very well. He REPEALED THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT in 2010. That little know decree was the basis of Nigeria's corruption.

Since time lost until year, under the Official Secrets Act, it ILLEGAL punishable by IMPRISONMENT for anyone to ask for or to Disclose the DETAILS of ANY GOVERNMENT BUDGET !!!!.  

YES !!

By repealing the relevant parts of the Official Secrets Act, you and I can now ask for the full details of all government budgets ( Federal, State and Local). We should COMMEND GEJ !!!.

But under military rule every 1st of January, the National Budget was read to the solemn national anthem. The leaders the proceeded to spend the money as they wished.

Recall also that in 1999 that it was AFTER OBJ was sworn in as President that Gen. Abubakar gave OBJ the 1999 Constitution. Since then we have been operating a democracy with a MILITARY mindset. Every "leader" is a "commmander". Speaker Bankole locked out the ELECTED members ofHouse of Rep memebers who accus him of corruption and demanded an apology before he would PERMIT them to return.

Because of the  immunity and  impunity, Corruption became endemic.

With our access to the details of government budgets, we can see the bloat in goverment expenditure.

The Government should be RESPONSIBLE for housing or  feeding ministers, government executives or legislatures.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing  from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED.  The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale.  Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

The South East and South South are correct not to interfere. They bear the brunt of the oil leaks, the militancy and the kidnapping industry that it spawned. Anyway petrol had always sold for more than N65 a litre.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED. The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale. Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.

The South East and South South are correct not to interfere. They bear the brunt of the oil leaks, the militancy and the kidnapping industry that it spawned. Anyway petrol had always sold for more than N65 a litre.

The NLC, the NBA and the House of Representatives are NOT ANGELS at all.

When Sanusi Lamido revealed that 25% of the National Budget was spent on the National Assembly no one supported him. Not the clergy, the NBA or the NLC. Shortly thereafter the former Speaker of the House of Reps was arrested for borrowing  from the banks and spending 40 BILLION NAIRA in additon to what was budgeted for. Sanusi fought a lone fight. He was disparaged by the House of Reps. The NBA, the NLC, Pastor Bakare and Mallam Rufai did not come to fight corruption.

The fuel subsidy has to be removed because it is the sure way to stop the Corruption in that business. The fight against Corruption must BE INSITUTIONAL AND PROCESS BASED.  The EFCC and the Judiaciary have not been effective becasue that approach is based on the PERSONALITY of the EFCC Chairman of a particular judge.

Please read Sanusi Lamido's details of how the Fuel Subsidy FRAUD is perpetrated by excutives of the petrol industry, Nigerian Customs, oil industry regulators etc. This will give an idea of the vast scope and depth of the FRAUD.

Also please remember that NLC is not necessarily fighting for the masses. It has never called a stricke over food or agriculture (becauuse the unons from that sector is not a major contibutor to NLC's finances) nor over Corruption. Never. The NLC strikes only for Oil sectore, PHCN and the Old Nitel.
President Obasanjo sold the refineries to the private sector. The same NLC resisted and got President YarAdua to make a political decision to reverse the sale.  Recently GEJ approved that the salaries of PHCN workers should be tripled to secure their support for the power sector reforms but requested that each PHCN staff should be verified by biometric. The NLC and PHCN union accepted the pay increase but went on strike over the biometric testing. But the government knows that without biomentric testing the slary increase will become another bottomless opportunity to STEAL money. For you dear reader, PHCN/NLC have refused to continue with the Pay-As-Use electronic meter because it closes a major opportunity for PHCN to steal your money through their spurious bills.

The FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT EASY AND IS NOT PAIN LESS.



Here is a straight-to-the-point response to some internet enquiries on the fuel subsidy by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria).


Here, SLS shares his convictions and presents a holistic insight into the reality about the Nigerian economy, governance, corruption, the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the challenges to sustainability, the need for the recalibration of the current debate and concerns about the decision taken to remove the subsidy on PMS.


The Case for Subsidy Removal
QUOTE - As a Nigerian and an economist, I often take positions on economic matters and this position is one I have had for years long before coming in to the Central Bank. I have also taken time to explain this position on several occasions and criticised government for not doing this before now.


In 2010 at a public hearing in the House of Reps on the 25pct saga I alerted the nation of what I considered a potential big scam around subsidies and urged for its removal. No one paid attention. The economics is very clear to me. That it is unpopular is also understandable.


The British public is unhappy with Tory budget cuts. The Greeks went on riot over austerity. Italian parliamentarians came to blows before Berlusconi was thrown out of office. The US congress is yet to approve Obama’s tax increases.


Economic decisions-by definition-ALWAYS must involve a cost or an opportunity cost since for them to qualify as economic they must involve a choice in resource allocation among competing uses.


An enlightened debate is one that weighs the pros and cons of removing subsidy and continuing with it.      Removing it has costs in terms of Nigerians paying more for PMS-which by the way is not the fuel for generators, power plants, production facilities, heavy duty goods transportation trucks and even luxury buses. It is fuel used by the middle class and car owners to drive around town and from city to city not to employ workers and produce goods and services.


Diesel which is critical to manufacturing and employment creation is not subsidized as the subsidy was removed years ago by President Obasanjo. Nigerians said nothing then because it was blue collar workers that got retrenched by factories. Those speaking now on the internet and facebook and twitter and newspapers are not workers but middle class elite who use PMS in their smart cars so let's stop all the ideological pretence. This is not about elite and masses but an intra-elite discourse.      



I will summarise the issues and I write as a Nigerian economist and public intellectual not as a public servant:



1. I am a strong advocate for subsidies if they are for production and not consumption and if they benefit the poor and not middle men and rent seekers. The US government subsidizes cotton and wheat farmers and Nigeria spends its reserves importing wheat from America and keeping American farmers employed. The OECD countries pay subsidies to cattle farmers. Today Promasidor imports powdered milk from New Zealand and packages in Nigeria using our foreign exchange while we have cattle. WAMCO imports milk from the UK and adds water and tins it and calls it "production" of Peak milk. We use our Forex to import petroleum products and keep refineries and jobs open in Europe. Meanwhile precisely because of market distortions there can be no private sector investment in refineries since no one can make profit selling at the regulated price unless we are going to provide private refineries with crude for next to nothing. Certainly no one can purchase crude at market price, refine it and sell at N65 without huge losses so this explains why there are no private refineries.  



2 What I mentioned above is at the heart of the problem with government economic policy which needs to be changed. The economy since SAP is one that supports imported consumption and not local production, perpetuating dependency, non inclusive growth and insecurity. Why is it that the economy is growing at 7pct annually but the people are getting poorer? The answer is simply because growth gains are not evenly distributed. Personal income is skewed towards people in the oil industry, Telecoms, high finance, stock market, real estate and yes civil servants and politicians who feed on corruption. We produce crude oil but import petroleum products (today the UK’s highest exports to Nigeria are petroleum based products).


We have a large cotton belt but import textiles from China (thus keeping their subsidized factories open and jobs in china). We are the world's number one producer of cassava but import cassava starch from Europe. We have a huge tomato belt in Kadawa, Jigawa and Chad Basin but are the world's largest importer of tomato paste - from China and Italy. We can produce rice but we import rice from Thailand and India-most of it from grain reserves that have been in stock for over 5 years. I can go on and on    


3. If the above is clear then it is evident that this trajectory can only lead to disaster. We will continue to spend our resources promoting growth and employment in our trading partners’ countries. When the Terms of trade shift against us, we can only have foreign reserves because by the good grace of God we have Oil which will be exhausted soon and with new discoveries may become so cheap it loses value. We don't create any value-added jobs as the only real production is peasant farming. Oil, Telecoms, finance and real estate are not employment intensive. So everyone becomes a civil servant as the economy cannot create jobs. In the 2012 budget, out of a total N1.8tr recurrent expenditure for the executive arm N1.6tr is on personnel costs not overheads. To reduce this you have to cut salaries or pensions or retrench civil servants. This is the classic trajectory of underdevelopment, de-development and de-industrialisation.  


4. For the above reasons I am a strong proponent of structural reform and this begins from the fiscal framework. The limited resources of government should be allocated to supporting production-especially if we are running a budget deficit. We cannot keep borrowing to support conspicuous consumption. To support a job creating economy we need to fund power, transportation infrastructure, market infrastructure and access, technical and vocational education etc. We need to build rice processing plants, produce starch and cassava flour and ethanol, process our tomato and milk locally, regenerate our textiles firms (which used to employ 600,000 workers but now employ 30,000!), refine our own crude etc. We cannot even begin to do this if 30pct of govt expenditure is on fuel subsidy, if out of the balance 70pct is recurrent spending, 10pct is debt service, 10pct goes to the Niger Delta and only 10pct is capital expenditure. So it is about a choice-what do we spend money on and how do we allocate resources?  This is the real debate we should be having.


5. We often compare ourselves to other oil producing countries like Saudi Arabia. What are the facts? With a population of over 160m we produce 2mbpd i.e. 1 barrel for every 80+ citizens daily. Govt share of revenues is like 50pct of every barrel so it is effectively a barrel for 160 citizens. Saudi Arabia with a 24m population produces over 8mbpd or one barrel for every 3 citizens. In fact in 2010 the nearest OPEC country to Nigeria in production per capita was Algeria with a barrel for 30 and Algeria is more gas than oil.


With one barrel for 3 citizens daily, Saudi Arabia is able to provide infrastructure, education, healthcare and social safety nets and have huge savings. It can provide subsidised fuel at a total cost that is a fraction of its savings and even export refined products. It is paying for subsidies out of its fiscal savings and not borrowing to pay.


We are like a poor man with a rich neighbour. The neighbour builds a good house, buys several cars, eat expensive food, travel abroad every year and still have huge balances in several current accounts. Then you choose to live that lifestyle and mortgage your house, take an overdraft from the bank to finance it. Next year it is time to repay the bank, you don't have the money so you go to another bank; borrow enough to pay the first bank’s principal plus interest and also fund the continuation of the lifestyle. It continues till you can't borrow anymore and the bank throws you and your family out of your house and you lose everything. A responsible father would have long since faced reality and told his family he doesn't earn as much as his neighbour and expectations need to be moderated if they are to keep their roof. Of course the children won't be happy at not going to Hawaii for summer and having to take public transport rather than own cars like their neighbour's children. Maybe they will even abuse the father behind his back and call him a miser. That is the cost of leadership.


Finally: removing subsidy is not a silver bullet that solves our economic problems. Further, there is a huge trust deficit that government has to address. Government needs to investigate subsidy payments and punish any violations of extant guidelines. It needs to cut off unnecessary and wasteful expenditure. It needs to fight corruption and show seriousness in that. It needs to deliver on capital projects, power and infrastructure including irrigation, farm-level storage and agri-processing.


These are all valid issues that are to be taken IN ADDITION to and not in place of subsidy removal. UNQUOTE