National leader of the
governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has blasted the
Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu over his comments that he is not
a magician and cannot, therefore, provide immediate solution to the ongoing
fuel crisis.
In a rare
criticism of an official of the Buhari administration, Mr. Tinubu said Mr.
Kachikwu being in a “progressive” administration, should not be seen acting
like in the “past”.
“The art of governance is difficult and complex, especially
during trying times. The steep reduction in global oil prices from over 100
dollars per barrel to roughly 40 presents a hard challenge.
“We can no longer afford past practices. Nigeria now requires
creative reform, materially changing the substance of national economic policy
as well as the objectives of that policy and how the policy is presented to the
people. Therein lies the essence of progressive democratic governance.
“The Buhari administration represents the last best hope we have
to install such governance in Nigeria and avert the catastrophe that would have
befallen us had the prior government remained in place.
“Had the nation continued with the spendthrift corruption and
vagabond economic policies of that administration, we would have soon
experienced such a collision with the harsh consequences of that government’s
malign ways that our very institutions of government may have been distorted
beyond fixture and repair,” he said.
The APC leader also said, “In this effort, there may be no
economic matter more difficult to unravel and more sensitive to the purse of
the average person than the current fuel scarcity.
“Even here I am confident of progress because I know the
commitment of the president to resolving this matter. I make no attempt to hide
it. I am an avid and partisan supporter of this government and of the
progressive policies of the party, the APC, upon which this government is
based.
“With that I do reserve the right and the duty as a Nigerian to
voice my opinion when I believe a member of this government has strayed from
the progressive calling required of this administration. I do this because my
greater devotion and love are for this nation and its people. Party and
politics fall secondary.
“Much public ire has been drawn to the statement made by
Minister of State (Ibe Kachikwu) that he was not trained as a magician and that
basically Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his
stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of petrol fuel it is currently
doing.
“Perhaps the statement by Kachikwu was made in a moment of
unguarded frustration or was an awkward attempt at a joke. Whatever the motive,
it was untimely and off-putting. The remark did not sit well with the Nigerian
people; they were as right to feel insulted as the minister was wrong to have
said such a thing.
“The fuel shortage is severely biting for the average person.
They are forced to remain in lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too
much money for too little fuel. This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and
people’s welfare are at stake. With so much on the line, Kachikwu’s flippancy
was out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be lucky
that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they
should just be quiet, and endure the shortage for several weeks more.
“Kachikwu’s intervention was unhelpful. It panicked and
disappointed the public as to the duration of the crisis. It insulted the
people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a member of the
elitist government the people voted out last year and not the progressive one
they voted in”.
“He also must remember
that he does not own NNPC. This also is not a private company that owes nothing
to the public except the duty of fair dealing. He is a public servant. The seat
he sits upon is owned by Nigerians not by him. The company he runs is owned by
Nigerians not by him. They are his boss. He is not theirs. Power is vested in
the people. He is a mere custodian or agent of their will. In talking to us in
such a manner, he committed an act of insubordination.
“If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future,” Mr. Tinubu said.
“If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future,” Mr. Tinubu said.
The APC
leader said having abused the sensibilities of Nigerians, Mr. Kachikwu “should
apologise for treating them so lightly in this instance. His portfolio being a
strategically important one, he needs to re-establish the correct relationship
with the public. They no longer feel he is working for their optimal benefit as
their servant. Instead, he seems to be standing above them, telling them to
take it or leave it.
“For his policies and stint in office to be successful and a
help to this government, he must have the support and belief of the people at
this tough time. He must talk to them in a way that they believe he seeks their
best interest and understands the hardship weighing upon them. He must ask them
to work with him and perhaps to endure a bit longer but with the knowledge that
he is working to resolve this matter as fast as he can and as permanently as
possible. That he is dedicated to the position that once these current lines
are gone that never again shall they reappear as long as he has any influence
in the matter.
“To do this, requires no magic nor training in that strange
craft. It requires empathy, compassion and the willpower to forge a better
Nigeria. These must be the common trademarks of those serving in a progressive
government for these attributes are integral parts of the spirit and ideals
upon which the APC was founded. Upon such notions was this administration voted
into office by the Nigerian people in the operation of their sovereign will to
seek a national leadership that would pursue their interests to the utmost and
give them every fair chance to live in a better Nigeria.
“Even though times are hard we must all realise that they would
be even harder and much darker would be the immediate horizon had we allowed
the venal, kleptocracy of the PDP to continue to lord over the land solely for
their selfish benefit and not for the common good.
“I am confident that President Buhari and this government can
resolve the issues that press us. From establishing full security and safety to
staking a claim to true economic prosperity and fairness, this government shall
salvage our national pride and purpose,” Mr. Tinubu said.
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