Nigerians had ushered in the New Year with high hopes, expectations, pleasantries and text messages, only to hear a few hours later that the unexpected had happened- hike in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).For sometime to come, analysts, commentators, the media and concerned citizens will continue to discuss the recent deregulation of the downstream or the removal of subsidy, which pushed a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N65 to N140 per litre - an increase of over 100 per cent, which after much struggle was reduced to N97-still not convenient a price. The way the whole exercise started as discussion, and it was as if Nigerians, particularly the leaders, were being chased by the shadow of military mentality. Under the military, the Legislative arm of government was totally absent. This made them to organise town hall meetings, discussions and mount street to street campaigns for any policy. It was, therefore, not uncommon for youths and some adults to organise themselves for the three million-man march to Abuja, to defend military policy. Now, under democracy, President Goodluck Jonathan, an intelligent, pleasant and ever-smiling man decided to by-pass the National Assembly to unleash the unpalatable gift of hike in price of PMS on "fellow" Nigerians.Perhaps, through "arrangement" or abracadabra, the National Assembly were on holidays. Was the National Assembly armtwisted' No one knows, but what it could have done was cut short the holiday and address the action of the President. By the action of the President and the subtle complicity of the National Assembly, he foisted on the good people of Nigeria a military mentality once again.In advanced democracies, when the economy seems to nosedive beyond the capability of the government, the leadership tenders an apology or resigns. Here in Nigeria, no president is willing to resign or die for the country, because of the aroma of office, power and other attachments. If President Jonathan can openly say that Nigeria is not broke, what then was the justification for more than 100 per cent increase in the price of PMS without due consideration of the multiplier effect it will have on other sectors of the economy'Nigerians reacted through protests by youths, non-governmental organisations and denial of tacit support given to the new price regime by some elite. The recent srike is a minus for the government and democracy in Nigeria, as a strike can stop the life of any country and lead to massive economic loss and political uncertainty. When conflicts are heightened, both the government and the people suffer for it.Having said that, the government must realise that we see things differently within the same environment. The language of the few in government, who enjoy a life of opulence, abundance and pleasure is different from the language of the poverty-ridden masses they govern. Our President, governors, legislators, including public office holders know the frustrated, dejected and hopeless masses. They see them everyday--four people on an okada is a sign of poverty. Two people on an okada with luggage on their heads is a sign of poverty. Able-bodied men and women trekking long distances daily or hallucinating along the road without being insane, is a sign of poverty. Other examples abound.Arising from the above, what are the possible suggestions to the government' Two readily come to mind - education and violence, and of the two, I think the government will choose education. We have witnessed violence since the time of the Wild, Wild, West in I 965 up till the present case of militancy of the Boko Haram, which destroys lives and property.We have not seen a revolution yet, and we don't pray for it, because it disorganises government, destroys life and property and can easily lead to disintegration. The last option is education, as it can assist in resolving issues quickly. It is easier to govern a literate populace and pass information on why certain actions or policies are being introduced. The feedback will be positive. For now, the government is trying in the area of education, but of what benefit is it to educate the citizens, only for them to roam the streets jobless'The government should stop paying lip service to education, which can be used as a potent instrument to avert violence and revolution in a country, where the removal of subsidy on petrol has caused untold hardship on the people. It is better for us to allow democratic principles to prevail, rather than live with the ghost of military mentality in governance.Oyedokun, a former Director-General of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (RADIO/TV), sent this piece in from Osogbo, Osun State.
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