A group, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, has threatened a nationwide protest over the lingering fuel and naira scarcity facing the country.
The group in a statement on Monday signed by its interim Chairman, Femi Falana, SAN, said if the Federal Government fails to bring to an end the current crises before February 10, 2023, “the country will witness nationwide peaceful mass actions by the Nigerian people.”
According to ASCAB, the twin crises may threaten the 2023 elections and scuttle the opportunity of Nigerians to choose a party considered to be representative of their aspirations.
The statement partly read, “The Federal Government has unleashed untold hardship on the masses of Nigeria by the unprecedented scarcity of the Naira, fuel scarcity and skyrocketing rise in fuel prices. Fuel and currency scarcity is inexplicable and unacceptable.The Federal Government has shirked its obligation to guarantee the security and welfare of the Nigerian people as provided under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The currency and fuel crises constitute unprecedented challenge to economic survival of ordinary people that may threaten the 2023 elections which provide an opportunity for the people to choose a party considered to be representative of their aspirations.
“Unless the twin crises of fuel and currency scarcity are immediately resolved within the timeline given by the President, ASCAB has resolved to call on the Nigerian people to commence series of peaceful mass actions in their communities to resist the unjustifiable economic hardship which may compel postponement of the forthcoming elections as INEC has hinted.
“If the Federal Government fails to resolve the twin crises of fuel and currency scarcity before February 10, 2023 the country will witness nationwide peaceful mass actions by the Nigerian people.”
Falana in the statement also urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to allow the old and new naira notes co-exist as legal tender, adding also that the “artificial fuel scarcity” was a plot by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to force Nigerians into accepting an increase in fuel price, saying also that the President must instruct the NNPCL to supply adequate fuel
“Since it is now clear that enough Naira notes have not been printed the Central Bank should allow the old and new naira notes to be legal tender in Nigeria. This suggestion is in line with Section 22 of the Central Bank Act which permits the replacement of old currency notes with new ones after the deadline fixed by the CBN.
“Meanwhile, officials of the CBN and other banks involved in hoarding or selling the new currency notes should be prosecuted to serve as a deterent to other economic saboteurs.
“Against the increasing fuel scarcity across the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said that it has two billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, in stock. The artificial scarcity of fuel is designed to force Nigerians to accept the increase in the pump price of PMS. In many parts of the country, petrol is sold between N300 and N600 per litre.
“To give the impression that the crisis is being addressed a Task Force headed by President Buhari was set up a couple of weeks ago. Like similar Task Forces set up in the past the new Task Force will not solve the crisis. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, President Buhari should direct the NNPCL to supply adequate fuel and ensure that the product is sold at the official price. Anyone who hoards the product or who sell it beyond the official price should be arrested and prosecuted,” the statement read.
President Buhari had assured Nigerians last Friday that in seven days time from then, he would address the woes associated with accessing the redesigned notes, promising to resolve the crisis within the stimulated time.
This is as protests have broken out in various cities across the country, with many angry about the pains and hardship citizens are being subjected to in order to have access to fuel and the new notes.