Accompanying new development programs and installments of the New Year, President Goodluck Johnathon removed the fuel subsidy. This caused more tension and violence across Nigeria as the Boko Haram continued to terrorize the nation with shootings and bomb attacks. The Fuel subsidy removal doubled the costs of fuel from 65 naira (.26 cents) to 140 naira (.40cents) per liter. Citizens were outraged because the fuel subsidy made fuel fairly affordable for citizens of this developing nation. The Unions held a week long strike pressuring the government to revert back the fuel price to 64 naira per liter. As protests began, violence ensued. Many of these violent acts were committed against civilians by army officials who were instructed to control the demonstrations. An Islamic school was set ablaze in Benin City of Edo state, a southern state with a fairly large Muslim/Hausa population. Eight individuals were also gunned down in the North. Both events stemmed from the hostility surrounding the "ethno-religous" battles and subsidy protesting. For citizens this intensified their lack of faith in the Nigerian government as they faced violent attacks from the Nigerian army and were also subject to harsher living conditions with the rise of fuel.
On the other hand, for Boko Haram and radical supporters, this was the
appropriate time to plan attacks. Government officials were arguing amongst
each other as deliberations over reversing the fuel subsidy were
discussed. Many citizens were against President Goodluck
Johnathan as they continued to protest against the removal through
ongoing protest. As seen in the video above The president's decisions to instill army forces during the protests only created more violence. The man speaking indirectly refers to President Johnathan stating that " anybody who calls himself the president of Nigeria and is stopping people from entering Liberation Park...is an enemy of democracy." Liberation Park is where one of many protest was scheduled to take place, yet army soldiers came and interrupted demonstrations. This illustrates how during these protests, much of the nation was outraged with the Nigerian government specifically President Johnathan and his administration. With the already fragile state of the Nation, it is during this period that Boko Haram was able to carry out their greatest and most burdening attack, in Kano and frequent solidifying bombings that rang terror across Nigeria. There increasing provocation of terror further solidifies their political aims to disturb the Johnathan administration.
In the City of Benin, Edo Youth Coalition addressed their disappointment in the government for not ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. They also question the violence demonstrated against ethnic groups due to the fuel subsidy:
EYC condemn unequivocally the killings, maiming and burning of innocent people and their properties in Edo State under the guise of protest against the removal of fuel subsidy. We strongly feel that this conduct is barbaric, rancorous, criminal and unacceptable from a civilized society. Above all, it does not yield any GOOD fruit; it will only fuel hatred, revenge and anarchy in Edo State and Nigeria.
This despicable incidences and conducts beg the following questions:
• What has the removal of fuel subsidy got to do with killings of innocent Muslims or Hausas in Edo State?
• How will the burning of mosques or business premises belonging to the Hausas alleviate poverty in Edo State?
• What has the innocent law abiding citizens got to do with Federal Government policy?
• What has the burning of UNIBEN gate got to do with fuel subsidy?
These are misplaced aggressions, which must be condemned, denounced and rebuked by all law abiding citizens. Those who indulged in this acts are ill-informed and has brought the good name of Edo people in disrepute.
EYC also feels that the Nigeria Police Force and Edo State Government have failed in their collective duty to safeguard lives and properties in Edo State. In our view, the government should have taken all necessary steps and contingencies to anticipate, protect and secure all possible hotspots prior to today’s protest. We call on the Edo State House of Assembly to subpoena the State Police Command and Edo State Government to an emergency committee session to explain this dismal security breach and failure in our dear state.
EYC share the frustrations of millions of poor and underprivileged people in our state and country. We fully support the fundamental rights for a peaceful protest against unpopular government policy and measure. However, we are also duty bound to condemn unambiguously the unfortunate criminal acts which took place in Benin City today.
Incidence like this creates the necessity to have CCTV cameras at strategic locations throughout our state to help in the policing and maintenance of law and order. The law enforcement agencies must do all in their power to ensure that the culprits are found and subjected to the full weight of the law.
Long Live Edo Youth Congress
Long Live Edo State
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Public Relation TEAM
Similar to the #OccupyWallStreet movement, the Nigerian people began a series of #OccupyNigeria protests to oppose the wealth Oil and Fuel company owners that would benefit from the subsidy removal. This movement grew as Nigerians all over the Diaspora in places such as Washington D.C, Houston,TX, London, Toronto, and New York City etc. protested as well.
(Protesters at the Nigerian Embassy in D.C)
Despise towards President Goodluck Johnathan grew as he denounced the movement and wished to arrest #Occupy Nigeria activist leaders under the precinct that they were the source of new and more arising violence in Nigeria. ("Occupy Nigeria: Jonathan Orders Arrest Of Femi Falana, Tunde Bakare, Dino Melaye And Shehu Sani" Jan 15, 2012)
Protester shot to death by Nigerian Police during protests in Illorin.
Muyideen Mustafa was the first victim of the protests. ("Muyideen Mustafa, Occupy Nigeria's First Casualty" Jan 04, 2012)
This video shows well known Sahara Reporter journalist, Soware Omoyele interrupting a meeting with the Minister of State. He is angered by the recent killings of civilians during declared non-violent protests and during such a crisis the Minister of State arrives late to the meeting. Omoyele is disturbed by the Minister of State's casualness towards the transpiring conflicts in Nigeria. He repeatedly screams "That we're not going to wait anymore, we're tired of waiting!" This again demonstrates the impact that the events occurring in Nigeria had on Nigerians all over the world and the challenges that the government was facing from various individuals and groups in addition to Boko Haram.
Despite the ongoing catastrophes from Boko Haram attacks and tension from the subsidy, individuals, specifically youths, still instill hopes of a unified Nigeria through demonstrations of coexistence, peace, and solidarity:
Christians surround the praying Muslims and remain vigilant for incoming government officials or other forms of violence during protests in Abuja despite recent Christmas day bombing in earlier December.
The same display occurred in the city of Kano despite the recent massive attack by Boko Haram.
Start: 2:20
In this clip, Muslims and Christians join forces to oppose the Fuel subsidy removal as a Hausa Muslim speaker denounces affiliations with the Islamic radical group as well as the terrorist acts carried out by the group. The different ethnic tribes join hands as they continue down the street repeating protest chants in the Hausa language.
These demonstrations counteract the intentions of Boko Haram to disrupt the structure and peace of Nigeria. These events stand as a testimony that Nigeria's "ethno-religious" tribes can coincide and cooperate to achieve and demand political gains without resorting to violence.
Aljazeera,
"Deaths in Nigeria as tensions sharpen ." Last modified Jan 11, 2012.
Accessed April 20, 2012.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/01/20121102242998110.html.
BBC,
"Nigeria fuel subsidy: Unions announce indefinite strike." Last
modified Jan 4, 2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16415253.
Sahara
Reports, "Occupy Nigeria: Jonathan Orders Arrest Of Femi Falana, Tunde
Bakare, Dino Melaye And Shehu Sani." Last modified Jan 15, 2012.
Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://saharareporters.com/news-page/occupy-nigeria-jonathan-orders-arrest-femi-falana-tunde-bakare-dino-melaye-and-shehu-sanni.
Transparency
for Nigeria, "Muyideen Mustafa, Occupy Nigeria's First Casualty." Last
modified Jan 04, 2012. Accessed April 22, 2012.
http://transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6132:muyideen-mustafa-occupy-nigerias-first-casualty&catid=89:national-security&Itemid=131.
No comments:
Post a Comment