Hardship Protests: Reverse Fuel Subsidy, CDHR Tells Tinubu

Hardship Protests

OpenLife Nigeria reports that following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast early Sunday, August 4, 2024 in which he seemed not to have addressed critical issues that provoked a nationwide protests by Nigerian citizens, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has called for reversal of fuel subsidy.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Debo Adeniran, National President CDHR Nigeria and Comrade Idris Afees Olayinka,

National Publicity Secretary CDHR Nigeria, which was made available to OpenLife, the human rights group also charges the “Federal government to give timelines for the fulfilment of the proposed promises to ease the living conditions of Nigerian people.”
Below is the full statement

The end bad governance planned protest commenced as scheduled since 1st of August and continues to spread like dry season fire across major cities in Nigeria. Different demands were put forward before the government at all levels to fix the country in the shortest possible time. In reaction, the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made a national broadcast when End bad governance entered the fourth day.

In his speech, the president acknowledged the demands of the protesters on behalf of Nigerians and promised to address them as soon as possible. The president calls form calm while sympathising with the families of the people who lost their lives and properties.

In his early morning address on 4th of August, the president acknowledged the hardships that come with fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate policy of the federal government but according to him, the policies have blocked the greed and the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers made and blocked undue subsidies extended to our neighbouring countries to the detriment of Nigerian people.

He said the government has made significant strides in rebuilding the foundation of our economy to carry us into a future of plenty and abundance, the aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, hitting over 9.1 trillion Naira in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023 due to our efforts at blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilising funding creatively without additional burden on the people.

Productivity is gradually increasing in the non-oil sector, reaching new levels and taking advantage of the opportunities in the current economic ambience and reducing debt servicing from 97% to 68%.

Having reviewed the key takeaways from the President’s broadcast, CDHR noted that there are no timelines to each of the promises the president proposed only hammering on their achievements so far which have not been really felt by Nigerian people.

CDHR charges the federal government to give timelines for the fulfilment of the proposed promises to ease the living conditions of Nigerian people.

CDHR demands immediate reversal of petroleum fuel subsidy, which have thrown the country into hyper inflationary conditions, charges the federal government to curb all corruptive elements that are associated with it. Also, the hike in electricity tarrif should be reversed to return many businesses back to production.

CDHR describes the students’ loan scheme the federal government is hammering upona as tokenism. The government should instead identify eligible indigent students and give them grants and scholarships to support their education and sustenance while in school as it is applicable in most civilised countries.

The loans given to SME businesses should be made flexible, interest- free, and easy repayment mechanisms

CDHR seeks for extension of timeline for the waivers on import duties and taxes on food items beyond six months.

This will allow food surplus pending the harvest season of Nigerian farm produce when the free windows be terminated. Federal government is also encouraged to pursue economic policies that are business friendly and productivity enhancement to restore the real value of naira and reduce inflation to the bearest minimum.

CDHR demands from the federal government to beam their search light on all human rights violations across the country as the end bad governance protest continues, bringing the perpetrators to justice and adequately compensate the victims.

In the same, adequate compensations should be given to the families of all persons who lost their lives during these protests, including the security officials.

Adequate compensation should be given to the owners of wantonly destroyed properties during the protest.

CDHR cautions the leaders and the mobilisers of the protest on violence and destruction of public and private properties, respects the rule of law, and possibly gives the government another opportunity to address the salient issues raised.