Christopher B. Sarki, former route commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the national chairman, Coalition to Strengthen Democracy for Good Governance Initiative (CSDGGI) has said that he supported the nationwide protests against hunger and hardship in the country, but expressed regret that it turned out to be a plot by some politicians from the North for the military to take over the government.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
He commended the military under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa and other Service Chiefs for proving to the sponsors of the plot that they are not power chasers, but only ready to secure and protect the territorial borders of the country, as well as the nation’s democracy.
Sarki acknowledged the acute hunger and hardship Nigerians are facing under the one year of the Bola Tinubu administration and outlined what the president should do to ameliorate the sufferings in the country.
He called on Tinubu to rejig his cabinet and bring in experts to turn around the economy.
He also warned Northern leaders not to truncate the nation’s democracy in an attempt to stop President Tinubu from completing his eight years tenure, saying rotation of the presidency between the North and South is sacrosanct.
He speaks about other issues. Excerpt:
After the nationwide protests, the protesters promised to regroup and return stronger if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to meet their demands, do you see this administration ready to meet this charter of demands by the Nigerian youths in few months?
Constitutionally, protesting is a fundamental aspect of our democracy and because it is a global norm, I will always encourage this course of action, but it must be peaceful. However, the protest, which commenced on August 1 with a major demand for the return of the fuel subsidy regime, reduction of prices of essential commodities in other to curb hunger and hardship Nigerians are facing and other demands is a welcome development. In trying to assure the youths that he had heard them, President Tinubu in his national broadcast appealed to the protesters to suspend demonstrations. He explained his decision to remove fuel subsidy, which he said was painful, but necessary as it constituted a noose around the economic “jugular” of our nation and impeded our economic development and progress. Meanwhile, there was reports by the National Bureau of Statistics that core inflation increased to an all-time high of 34.19 per cent and 40.87 per cent in June 2024. After the Presidential broadcast the sponsors of the protests concluded by saying that the speech was empty that Mr. President did not address the issues. Thereafter the demonstrations turned into violence protests resulting to stealing and destruction of government property and waving of foreign flags in Kano and Borno states. Protest should not be turned into threat rather, it should be an action to press for your demand to be met and things to be done right by the government. Yes, I’m sure that in few months’ time President Tinubu will begin to implement the measures he highlighted during in his broadcast, which are geared towards curbing hunger and hardship in the country.
FG has alleged that the nationwide protests were sponsored by some countries and individuals especially some politicians to discredit the present administration, what is your take?
We all know that there is hunger and hardship in the country as a result of fuel subsidy removal without putting in place measures to cushion its effects. Notwithstanding, instead to allow the measures put in place to start yielding fruits, some political gladiators who lost the 2023 presidential election decided to create unrest so that the military would take over government. Every protest and demonstrations have sponsors, and those who finance them both locally and internationally for their selfish gains. I noticed that major global television channels ignored the protest in Nigeria because they knew it was politically motivated. It is too early to evaluate the government which is just one year. That is why the people in the southern part of the country did not join the protest and they will not join if the sponsors decide to give it a second trial. Because the Tinubu-led administration inherited economic burden which is the cause of hunger and hardship in the country. For instance, we are all aware that former President Muhammadu Buhari removed fuel subsidy from the 2023 budget which took effect from June while he left office on May 29. Again, for over nine years farmers were killed or chased away from their farms by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, which led to shortage of food in the country. In Benue State, which is the food basket of the nation, farmers there could not plant or harvest because of fear of being killed. Also, the immediate past administration closed all land borders and banned the importation of 43 items, including rice. How then do you expect food to be surplus when we cannot produce what we eat because Nigeria is an import dependent nation? So, I appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the government.
Earlier you said the sponsors of the protest wanted to create unrest so that the military would take over power, why do you believe It was aimed at taking over government instead of protests against end of bad governance, hunger and hardship?
Some people attempted to destabilize the country and pit us against Russians and other foreign countries, but Nigerians were clever than them. The aim of the sponsors of the nationwide protest was a plot for the military to take over government, but it failed. Yes, the sponsors of the protests wanted to create unrest or make the country ungovernable so that there would be a change of government, but the majority of the people turned down the plot. The military under the watch of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa are not power chasers, but are ready to secure and protect the territorial borders of Nigeria and to ensure we are save from external aggression. So far, the military has been able to tame insurgency. You will agree with me that before the appointment of Gen. Musa, the ongoing security issues in Nigeria were abductions and violence crimes, which were on the increase, but as I speak with you the trend has reduced drastically. So, the protesters and their sponsors wanted to attract external attention in order to justify a change of government. They tried to coin the Tinubu-led administration as a tribalistic government and pit the government and the people. But they forgot that Tinubu was the major founder of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2014 even though the ruling party is mainly constituted by Northerners. The party defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 and Atiku Abubakar in 2019. Then he was not a tribalist, but now that he assumed office as the President of Nigeria he has become haters of the North. Nigerians will not fall for such joke because power has shifted to the South and must remain in the Southern part of Nigeria till 2031. We in the North had our eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, therefore, the South must have its equal share. No amount of protest or blackmail will change the rotation of the presidency between North and South which is responsible for uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria for over 25 years. However, rotation of the presidency between North and South is sacrosanct. Are the Northerners blind to Buhari’s eight years of misrule that was characterized by all forms of inhuman wanton killings and destruction? Why are they now agitating for protesting against Tinubu’s government that is trying to bring equity, justice and fairness and give sense of belonging to every region.
Many will disagree with you on the performance of this administration in the last one year because since Tinubu took over things are getting from bad to worse and that was why the people embarked on nationwide protest against hunger and hardship they are facing, what should government do to ameliorate the sufferings in the country?
The solution to the present economic hardship in the country that has brought acute hunger and despair to the citizens is that government must show empathy and cut cost of governance. This could be done by reducing salaries, allowances and other emoluments of top government officials. The President, ministers, federal and state lawmakers, heads of departments and agencies should prove to Nigerians that they also feel the economic pains. No wonder in one of Henry Clay’s quotes, he said: “Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees. And both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people”. President Bola Tinubu and members of his cabinet cannot tell Nigerians that there is no money and the National Assembly approved the purchase of a Presidential jet for Tinubu and over N28 billion for the reconstruction of the residence of the Vice President and they expect the people to continue to wallow in hunger. Something urgent must be done to cushion the effect of hunger and high prices of food stuff, else the people will continue to agitate against hunger. Government should further discourage such act by showing concern in the plight of the people. Yes, the 10th House of Representatives has kicked the ball rolling by offering half of their salaries to government for six months as their contribution to curb hardship in the country. Though it is a welcome development, they should go further and slash their allowances. President Tinubu should rejig the economy by engaging economic experts irrespective of political affiliation to help retune the economy so that Nigerians can heave a sigh of relief. Tinubu needs to build trust among Nigerians to see his government policies as genuine. Because as it stands most Nigerians have not forgotten the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election results which many believed was doctored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in favour of Tinubu. That is why he should as a matter of urgent importance build trust to restore the hope of Nigerians in the government.
But succour has come to Nigerian workers with the N70,000 new minimum wage approved by FG and it has taken off, isn’t that a step to cushion the effects of economic hardship?
The National Assembly was quick to pass the new minimum wage into law because there is hardship and hunger in the country. Also, because they know that any further delay to end hunger in Nigeria is dangerous. And they are working hard to prevent further protest. It is a welcome development though N70,000 is nothing when compared to prices of commodities and the rate of inflation in the country. Meanwhile, I expected the 10th Senate to also slash their salaries and allowances just as members of the House of Representatives did. However, with the passage of the minimum wage bill and signing it into law, Nigerian workers will heave a sigh of relief.
You made mention of rejigging the economy, how can the economy be turned around as many doubt its possibility because Nigeria is import dependent as we only oil export crude oil?
Simply, through the revival of the nation’s refineries. How can the sixth oil producing country in the world cannot boast of a functioning refinery? We only export crude oil and in return import it after it has been refined. Isn’t that madness? And we are here crying of hunger. It is just like a rich man’s children crying for food to eat. This is a desperate attempt by some cabals and some international oil companies who have vowed that Nigeria’s refineries won’t function. Because of this their exploitation of the nation’s oil industry will continue. This is why Alhaji Aliko Dangote has brought to our notice as he has decided to sell his refinery to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Because he is being frustrated by the cabal in conjunction with some International oil companies from commencing production. That is how Nigeria kills its own hence all hands must be on deck to ensure Dangote Refinery begins production in full capacity. But I thank President Tinubu for coming to his rescue by ordering NNPC to sell crude oil to Dangote in Naira. As to how the economy can be revamped, Nigeria must produce what her citizens will eat, corruption must be killed because the economic survival of Nigeria goes beyond fighting corruption. Empathy is crucial in leadership and President Tinubu should stop politicking and actively listen to the people and strive to meet their needs because that is why they elected him. Again, trust is the foundation of any strong and successful government. Trust is built through integrity, reliability, and showing genuine concern for the people. Tinubu should be consistent in his actions as he did when he was the governor of Lagos State and through commitments foster a trustful governance. This is the time he should lead by example which is one of the most powerful tools for inspiring and motivating the led and by also demonstrating commitment and integrity. That is what Nigerians want from the present administration.
But the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) has commence probe into Dangote and NMDPRA’s feud and into alleged racketeering of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and has recommended that some international companies be sanctioned, could these be one of the major problem that has worsened subsidy removal?
Yes, there are individuals and some international oil companies that are holding the nation’s refineries from producing oil and alleged sabotage against the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals from commencing production. This has worsened the pains Nigerians go through because of fuel subsidy removal. That is why the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Finance and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) recently commenced probe into Dangote and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA’s) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) feud and into alleged racketeering of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) against some international oil companies. These allegations are also concurred by the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). However, the House Committee has ordered that agencies and companies should be sanctioned over alleged $60 billion inflated cash calls by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) Joint Venture Agreements. And has threatened to also sanction agencies and companies that failed to appear before the Committee in the probe of $60 billion by the Federal Government. This is a deliberate attempt to frustrate the business efforts and continue existence of workers of NUPENG, PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery hence the unions urged the Federal Government to set up an independent panel to investigate the claims of sabotage by these oil companies. The sabotage action includes, reports of denying the refinery access to crude oil supply and inflating the prices of crude oil, which in turn force the company to source crude from other countries, such as the United States resulting in high costs and logistics challenges. This has resulted to resurgence of fuel queues at filling stations across the country and adulteration of petroleum products. As we speak, these are one of the major causes of hardship and hunger in the country resulting to several Nigerians staging a nationwide protest against hardship and hunger to express their grievances regarding the hike in the prices of commodities. Like I said earlier, this can only be cushioned if the nation’s refineries start production. Fuel subsidy was removed by former President Buhari with the hope that Dangote refinery would commence production in August last year. Unfortunately, these cabal and some international companies frustrated the refinery from taking off. But President Tinubu realized this and has ordered NNPC to collect Naira from Dangote to lift crude oil. Meanwhile, we are made to understand that government uses the amount realised from fuel subsidy removal to service the loans and debt the past governments took from China and other countries. That is why we are where we are now. So, nobody should blame President Tinubu for the state of the economy. Therefore, I implore Nigerians to exercise patience with this current administration, as there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that the government is listening and is doing something to ameliorate the suffering we are all facing. Above all, we must know that the struggle we are in today is developing the strength we need tomorrow.
In spite of hardship and hunger the people face, insecurity has persisted, what do you think should be done by the government nip this in the bud?
President Tinubu has been able to coordinate national affairs thereby maintain stability and cohesion because he has shock absorbers going by the state of the economy and insecurity which he met on ground. So far, he has moved on to consolidate on democratic gains for the benefit of Nigerians. The military under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa decimated terrorism and banditry by smoking them out from camps especially in the Sambisa forest. The military achieved this feat because the role of government is to ensure the welfare of the people.
