How Buhari privatised the petroleum sector

Sir: Some Nigerians have problem with Atiku Abubakar, saying that he would privatise the petroleum refineries. They could not see that it is the only way Nigeria will never again hear about fuel subsidy which the current President, Muhammadu Buhari is using as an opportunity to embezzle public funds (Boko Haram), as in the past. Besides, if the former President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan did not privatise the power sector, Nigeria would have been in total darkness altogether in the hands of someone (GMB) who has been busy with importation of warplanes and sophisticated weapons for fighting Boko Haram and protecting the Fulani herdsmen terrorists. American government is not the one supplying water and electricity but private companies that are paying tax. And having lived for many years in America, Atiku knows best how developed countries run government affairs.

Many Nigerians cannot see that Buhari has actually privatised the petroleum sector to himself and some cohorts by tenaciously doubling himself as the Petroleum Minister, and exclusively signing contracts for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, even in his sick bed in London, after handing over power to the Vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo. Hence not too long ago, I said Walter Onnoghen, Atiku, or any past President of Nigeria could not be more corrupt than Buhari who doubles himself as the Petroleum minister, increased fuel price from N87 to N145 and is recovering looted funds without accountability for anything to anybody. He said, for instance, that he had no N45 million to pay for his own reelection nomination form, third year into his presidency, while his wife, Aisha, became an emergent philanthropist. The Yoruba say a liar will steal. A thief will also lie, at least to deny stealing. But Buhari is not merely stealing, he sits on the petroleum sector and recovery of looted funds, as the maximum President of Nigeria, who has neutralised the legislature, and has been viciously demonising the judiciary, towards his own idolization.

What Nigeria has benefited from the GMB presidency? He has seriously degraded Boko Haram, unfortunately together with the northeast populations, the security operatives, and Nigeria’s economy. The carnage is still ongoing with skyrocketing debts and worsening hyper inflation. Buhari’s supporter-groups are booming throughout Nigeria, taking their own shares of the loots from non-accountability. Through the so-called Trader Moni, Buhari and Osinbajo have also bribed some marketers in some markets. Hence I told Kwarans that Buhari is not better than Bukola Saraki who is also accused of bribing some people. What is paramount is that Nigerians vote massively for Atiku to stop carnage and economic destruction of Nigeria, which Buhari, like the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the former President Jonathan, represent. Otherwise, Nigeria is already financially flat.

What Atiku must not do is to equip the dying Army to continue war against Boko Haram and protection of the Fulani herdsmen terrorists. Nigeria university students are already celebrating the news of the agreement between government and the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU). But, in order to keeps Nigeria working again, voting Atiku to promote peace by stopping warfare that has been ravaging Nigeria since 2009 till date is crucial. ASUU started strike on November 5, 2018 and GMB could not resolve the issues until approximately a week to the commencement of elections. Even then the issues were only partially resolved, after over-tasking ASUU, like with the labour leaders demanding minimum wage of N30, 000. Nigeria cannot develop under warfare oh!
Prof. Oyeniran Abioje wrote from University of Ilorin.