August 1 protest: Re-Instate Fuel Subsidy, Form Strong Economic Team, Dopah Tells Tinubu
By Raymond Enoch
The Director, Connectional Ministries of the Southern Nigeria Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), Rev. Philip Micah Dopah has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate the removed fuel subsidy saying such is the crux of the problem of Nigerians.
Dopah, who doubles as the Chairman, TEKAN/ECWA bloc of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Taraba State also called on Mr. President to form a strong economic team that will help him manage the economy of the Country.
The Taraba clergy, while briefing the media in Jalingo reiterated that
President Tinubu is the only person that has the power to allow the protest to continue or not.
He said during the regime of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was among the Nigerians that protested.
“When Nigerians protested, former President Jonathan took over the protest by reversing the fuel price to Ninety-seven Naira (N97.00) per litre and the whole situation calmed down”,
“I support President Tinubu, calling on well-meaning Nigerians that they shouldn’t embark on the protest. I support him because it’s not the beginning of the protest that matters but how it will end will be the major problem”,
“I want to also say, if Nigerians refuse to protest and the food crisis persists, what happens?”,
“Let Mr. President therefore, take the bull by the horn and say no to the planned protest by doing the needful”,
“If President Tinubu will today announce that the issue of fuel subsidy has been reinstated, about 80% of Nigeria’s problems are over”, he added
Describing the above stated as the only key and cardinal issue behind Nigerians’ problems, Rev Dopah further advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to borrow a leaf from former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by reversing the fuel subsidy.
“The best thing is for President Tinubu to take responsibility just like former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan did by reversing the fuel subsidy. This will calm the situation automatically”, he added.
Speaking on the high cost of food items in the market, the cleric lamented that many Nigerians are dying daily because of hunger.
He said the palliatives being sent by the federal government are not enough and will not bring solution to the country’s numerous problems.
He however, suggested for a strong economic policy by the federal government saying highly experienced economists like the Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, President of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, among others can be invited to be part of the team.
“Our highly experienced sons and daughters in diaspora can be invited to form and build a strong economic team that will help minimize the food crisis we are facing as a country”, Rev. Dopah added.
