By Sunday Ani
Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Onyekachi Ubani has threatened to take legal action against the Federal Government if it goes ahead with the planned ban on hide, popularly known as ponmo in Nigeria.
In a statement, yesterday, he insisted that ponmo is the common delicacy enjoyed by many Nigerians due to its affordability given that fish, meat and other proteins have become expensive and unaffordable for the common man.
He wondered why policy makers and political leaders derive so much pleasure in inflicting pain and agony on the suffering masses in every aspect of governance, even as he queried why the government always clamps down on the things that give joy and pleasure to the common man.
“The truth is that ponmo remains the most constant meat-like substance in stews and soups in many kitchens and it beats our imagination that every government in Nigeria has always planned to take away that substance from the people’s dining tables. While politicians and rich Nigerians chew all manner of proteins in their sumptuous meals with their loved ones, they have become restless and jealous of the only thing that the poor masses chew while eating their meals of affliction,” he said.
He queried the fairness and justice in such government’s move and advised the government to desist from the threat and ensure that such wicked and callous policy did not see the light of the day.
“However if they fail and refuse to abide by this free advice, they should be prepared for a prolonged legal suit that may end up in the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the illegal ban.”