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Why is the first task Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would perform is the removal of subsidy? A clear understanding of this and the correct answer will explain why everything was done to ensure that he became President, through hook or crook – willy-nilly. Much as he would want to claim, Tinubu became President, by the handiwork and instrumentality of vested interests.
He was clearly the worst out of the three main candidates that went for the election, by every indication. He was the one making all the gaffes, the one that could not maintain steady gait at rallies, the one with slurred speech, the one that was in and out of Nigeria for medical reasons. So, why would Nigerians choose him over Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi?
Prior to the actual election, his handlers had pointed to his records in Lagos and how he transformed a known slum into a mega-city. But, the real story was told was told on the day of the presidential election, when Lagos spoke unequivocally – passing their verdict on what they really thought about the Father of Modern Lagos, as he was described.
It was that of total rejection, if not disgrace that he was denied the same state, he claimed to have transformed in the most unequivocal manner, not by outsiders or spin-doctors, but those who actually live in the state. In fact, outside the official result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which gave victory in the state by some marginal figures, it was said that Tinubu did not win the symbolic 25 per cent in the state.
What does that say about using Lagos to campaign? With the character of voting on February 25, Lagosians, countered the narrative of Tinubu building Lagos, which discountenanced the fact that for decades, if not centuries, Lagos, had remained the pride of Nigeria, for many reasons than the Tinubu miracle. Long before Tinubu ever dreamed of coming to the city, every Nigerian had wanted to come to Lagos. Those who did, showcased it as a bragging right to those elsewhere who did not have the privilege. It was more of the reasons the Egyptian would view Cairo, the Ghanaian, Accra and Kenyan, Narobi.
So, the campaign with Lagos fell flat on its face as it should on the basis of the truth about the residents knew about the real imprimatur its former Governor left in the state. Now, the other factor he could have relied on, the ruling government of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was no less unenvious and untoward. It was indeed a no-go area and therefore, did not help either. In fact, that angle was worse, if not the worst. The shambolic government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the sufferings it offered Nigerians were enough to close that road.
So, why did Tinubu become President, regardless? The answer is what you are seeing now. Vested interests! They are the ones he has come to serve and not Nigerians. It was this vested interest that ensured that the server for the presidential election was shut down immediately they saw the first signs of verdict of the people. It was this vested interest that ensured that INEC Chairman went back 360 degrees, against what he told Nigerians, days or even hours to the election. Come to think of it, it is this vested interest that made him blame technical glitches rather than personal failures for what happened on that day. And you can be sure that the same vested interests will ensure that he keeps sealed lips over what actually transpired for the rest of his life.
For those who have an inkling on how vested interests, either as a cabal, a syndicate or a mafia works, they also know that the goading of those who lost out in the election to go to court, is not because they so much as have the littlest trust in the justice system, but the fact that they believe that they have that angle covered as well. So, it is only a judicial personnel, who would dare the consequences, in some cases, even their lives or those of loved ones, that would be bold enough to stand up to them. Everywhere in the world, where vested interests are in charge, it is a function of carrot and stick. Once you get co-opted into the system, it is either you enjoy privileges reserved for the high and mighty – money, influence and power – or you suffer the most unimaginable pains.
Read the book of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to get a glimpse of what vested interests do to those who go against them. Why do you think that Humphrey Nwosu, the man who conducted the June 1993 presidential election, which the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, went to his grave with the true story of that exercise. Why do you think that even Ibrahim Babangida, the military President, who superintended the entire regime, has also maintained sealed lips?
So, when you see a government of Tinubu announce a 300 per cent increase in the pump price of fuel, know that he is not acting because he enjoys the suffering and death of millions of Nigerians. It is a question of “either or!” If not, ask yourself, why is the government not taking other options. In the first place, does Nigeria consume 680million litres of fuel a day? How possible? But that question is a no-go area. Nobody will ask it.
Now, the beginning and end of all the arguments on why Nigerians must pay with their lives for fuel, is because it is imported. The abiding question is, why must the product be imported? Who shut down the local refineries and refused them from working despite all the money that have gone into resuscitating them? That’s where the true answer lies. But nobody will attempt to go that route in looking for solution.
In fact, the so-called financial analyst you see on television strenuously labouring to give you expert explanation on why you must pay more for fuel, could be on the payroll of the same vested interests either knowingly or unknowingly. That is how much reach they have. They are everywhere. So, they are the ones that would be quick to tell you the cost of forex needed to import fuel. But the quick question you must ask them, is must Nigerians import fuel?
Even a village hunter, without any idea of economics knows that you don’t need foreign exchange to procure crude oil and refine same in Nigeria and that the moment the local refineries are put in order, the issue of forex, which is a major factor in the entire argument, would be over. In other words, refining locally is the solution to save Nigeria from suffering and death. But going that route is undermining the interest of those intent on making billions of dollars on the blood of Nigerians.
They have already started preparing your mind. They are now telling you ahead of the coming of the so-called Dangote Fuel, that you’re not going to get it any cheaper, because the man is going to sell at global market price. It is left to you to figure out the argument. Dangote would be supplied crude from Nigeria. How are you sure that the new price regime was not announced to preempt Nigerians waiting for Dangote, so that by the time he comes and sells at N450 per litre, he becomes both a hero and overtakes Elon Musk as the richest man in the world? But one thing is sure. This is just the beginning.
Be prepared...
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