INTRODUCTION
This week, we conclude our exposition of Nigerian patriots and pretenders, as regards what they preached in the past and what their current position is. The facts speak for themselves. No one can hide behind his finger now. No one can cover the sun with his palm (apologies, M.K.O. Abiola, the matyr of our democracy, who won a free and fair election square, but was prevented from governing Nigeria. He paid the supreme price when he was killed in Aso Villa. He is the matyr of our democracy.
Ayo opadokun, leader, NADECO – 2012
“It is a sad story that the organised labour, for reasons best known to them threw in the towel when other groups are still willing to give their best as far as strike is concerned.”
The fiery lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner was angry at the early capitulation of the protesters, but, egbon, I haven’t heard you speak out over PMB’s N145 per litre!
Femi Falana
As part of #Occupy Nigeria protests, he fiercely condemned subsidy removal in 2012. He has equally condemned the recent increase. Some consistency. But, we still await his dexterous street protest with placards and some stirring “aluta continua”, “Victoria acerta” speeches.
Ayo Sogunro
Author Sogunro is not only disappointed about the subsidy removal, he is actually very angry, because he had opposed it in 2012. In his new piece, “my dear President Buhari, shame on you,” he fumes: “As I have suspected for a while, the unsolicited trekking I undertook from Yaba to Ojota to protest the 2012 subsidy removal is now just an intensive workout session. President Buhari and his team of economic wanksters have taken a leaf from Jonathan and his team of wanksters. Worse, the new economists in town have outdone Jonathan’s ambitions of N141 per litre; they have pushed the price up to N145 per litre – in spite of Fashola’s touted logic on falling crude oil prices.” Some conscience.
Dino Melaye
The flamboyant and controversial Kogi State senator had in 2012, led #Occupy Nigerian protests to condemn subsidy removal. He still does today. He recently gave the president seven days to reverse it. But, the seven days have since turned to three weeks. Will he still make good his threat to execute “the mother of all protests,” as he called it? We “siddon dey wait,” Dino.
Tolu Ogunlesi
Journalist and Special Assistant to PMB, Ogunlesi, in 2012, fiercely opposed subsidy removal. He had even likened GEJ to Boko Haram, asking rhetorically, “what’s the difference between Boko Haram and GEJ? Boko Haram at least claims responsibility. GEJ gets PPPRA to do so on his behalf.” His lyric today is surprisingly different. He now supports deregulation like Oby Ezekwesili, because it was now more about “trust” than “economics.” Ha! Haba!!
JAF:
Like the SNG, the Joint Action Front, JAF, umbrella body for pro-labour and civil society groups in the country, in 2012 rejected the N97 fuel price and described it as imposition, which fell short of N65 being demanded by Nigerians. JAF, I have not seen you on the streets! What happened?
IKHIDE IKHELOA
Lawyer and unrepentant Abacha critic, Ikhide had in 2012, led mass protests in far away Washington DC, to the World Bank. Laments him now of the new onslaught: “After making me dance in protest in 2012 before the World Bank and IMF in opposition, APC scraps petrol subsidy.” Ikhide, Nigeria is a country where the more you look, the less you see. Readers, you are in the best position to judge us all, aside from the final judgment of Almighty God.
Vox Populi: Readers’ Reactions
You’re right on target
“Buhari’s uninspiring Democracy Day speech” is really a hard fact on the state of the nation. It presents actual position of majority Nigerians on issues. 08037247891.
Keep it up
I love your write up. You are wonderful and a truthful man. May God keep you. Onyinyechi, 08103316120.
You did well
Your piece on Buhari’s one year scorecard of May 29 is excellent and the best I have read from you of late. Awaiting other series. God bless. Akute, 08022436035.
Why is APGA silent?
What is agonising is our great party’s (APGA) ominous silence on these pivotal national issues. Chibunna, 08033387379.
On June 12 we stand
What a pleasant moment to read from you. On June 12, we stand. It is certain PMB hasn’t the magic wand to heal Nigeria. Time will tell. Chinwendu, 08025980147.
I’m not surprised at PMB’s failure
AC and CPC got married to undo their common enemy, PDP, and not because they had a plan for Nigeria. I’m not surprised PMB has a clueless administration. Peter, 07062388736.
Assist President
Your assistance is needed. Please, Sir, give the president your own anti-corruption template. Ibrahim, 08032851353.
You’ve brought sunshine
Sir, reading your column brought back a light that was already going off, because at some point, I thought that some form of blindfold is on us that no one can speak the realities again. Your facts backed with figures have made it all alarming and lucidly glaring. I pray God to keep you for us and away from any form of future intimidation. Gilpaul, 08038419822.
I commend you
Mike, your piece on PMB’s May Day presidential speech had all the trappings of a positive goal getter, with its configurations of identified problems and their solutions. Such a stance is proactive to a leader with vision and desire to lead a country to a higher height and not the type. Ashadele – 07067577806.
Govt should be sincere
Good advice, Sir. However, while we appreciate the laying down of arms, as you rightly suggest, can’t the Nigerian government be sincere to history? Resource control was there when it was agriculture and coal. I respect your pedigree, Sir. Help us – 09093500072.
Why is EFCC not probing APC?
The people’s SAN, you are an eye opener to our generation and your pen will never dry because you speak the truth, no matter who is involved. Please, ask APC how they got money for 2015 campaign, which they spent heavily. Why is EFCC not after them since they are independent? – 08032756116.
Why’re you against govt?
Mike, why are you always against the government in your articles? You are so biased that you don’t see any good thing about it. Yet, we are today on our knees because Goodluck Jonathan ran the country aground sharing money with politicians. – 08066129607.
Buhari’s speech didn’t surprise me
Sir, I must confess that you are the voice of the voiceless. I was never disappointed by the speech, as I never expected any better speech from a party formed, campaigned, won election and still govern on a table of deception and propaganda of the highest order. – Chidiebere – 08063738680.
They won’t accept the truth
Your piece on PMB’s speech was really hard facts, but will the Lais accept it and take dressing? Keep writing and talking. Ann, 08037015551.
You will always blame Buhari
Had PMB talked persuasively to the avengers, you would still have said he is weak, old, submissive or disillusioned, – 08094471201.
President, APC wicked
Sir, Buhari and his party are very wicked and we need to tell them. 08036791230.
By their tribe, we shall know them
The Bible says “by their fruits we shall know them.” And I say, “by their tribe we have known them.” 08023355333.
Hardship now unbearable
SAN, I am happy that people like you are speaking and writing. I lost my job immediately PMB won the election. People are dying every day as a result of starvation. The hardship is becoming unbearable. 08032910874.
Your stance bogus
Mike, what is a hard fact about your bogus stance against the proletariat? 08139001539.
Your article objective
Sir, your article in Daily Sun (June 1) was very objective and corrective, should PMB humbly assimilate the contents.
More needed
Barrister, thanks for hard facts, but more is still needed to be done. 08069434473.
God be with you
May the God of Heaven continue to use you to enlighten us all. Ivoke, 08071844933.
Talk about social welfare
Why did you not speak on the 2014 National Conference report on social security/welfare? Even as a Constitutional Law expert, you know a constitution provides for welfare of the hoi polloi, in an ever-growing hostile capital environment like Nigeria. – Aladetoyinbo, 08111648571.
I’m socked about stance on herdsmen
Sir, the President’s silence on herdsmen menace is shocking. Or he doesn’t consider them a threat to the nation’s unity? 08057981360.
You article gives me hope
Whenever I read your article, it gives me hope. I’m a Pastor, and worried about the level of poverty and suffering poor masses are going through just because of the kind of government and policies. 09080000018.
What you didn’t say
SAN, did I hear you say GEJ implemented TSA in phases in the most powerful woman in GEJ’s government, Diezeani’s Bank? Or the various branches of the looters. GEJ’s wife went round the whole world, nobody queried. There is God o. – 08067236310.
I pray they read, learn
SAN, your “hard facts” x-rayed, diagnosed and treated the speech. I pray, they will read and learn from it. Chima, 08036162777.
You’re against Buhari
I think you have made up your mind never to see anything good in this administration. All these facts, points and presentations were curiously absent during Jonathan’s reign. Buhari will triumph soonest. Georgewill, 08178706913.
No to national confab report
Thanks for the courage, zeal and the honesty with which you told the truth as it is. The report of the National Conference must be consigned to the historical archives because the recommendations to address the imbalance in our federation and that is what some people do not want to hear. To them, the best way to address it is to shoot whoever has the guts to complain. But God is not a man. Okoukwu, 08036742467.
We’re at crossroads
Sir, posterity will remember you in a positive light. Nigeria is at crossroads and sleep walking to disaster and great crisis. Don’t be deterred. Hope Buhari will not precipitate crisis and declare a state of emergency in Nigeria. Okafor, 08060276746.
Govt has foisted poverty
Thank you for your sincere and down-to-earth look into their eyes and telling them the truth. Now that I know you write for The Sun, I shall switch over. This government has foisted unimaginable poverty and hardship. God will intervene. We need great people like you as voice to the voiceless. Don’t keep quiet. Sylvester, 08108875791.
We’re facing reality
Sir, your articles in The Sun is clear, but as a lawyer that you are, the present reality is what we must go through because of the future we did not prepare ourselves for. Joseph, 08038602470.