…Over statement on fuel scarcity
. Demands apology to Nigerians|

By Chidi Obineche

NATIONAL leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday came down hard on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, demanding an apology over his recent outburst on the lingering fuel scarcity in the country. Kachikwu had apparently in a very testy moment last Wednesday declared that the “prevailing fuel scarcity may linger till May,”
adding that he was not a magician to offer a quick-fix Tinubu in a statement last night described the minister’s statement as unbecoming of a ‘member of this progressive government,’ adding that, ‘he has strayed from the progressive calling required of this administration.’
In the nine paragraph statement personally signed by him, and entitled “Kachikwu needs to know that respect and good performance will do what magic cannot,” the former Lagos State
governor admonished him on the rudiments of understanding his role as a public servant and
applying it strictly in his relationship with the people, who he described as “his boss.” While acknowledging that he insulted the people by his “unguarded,” and “cavalier” remark, Tinubu
observed that “he committed an act of insubordination,”
enjoining him to “refrain from such interjections in the future.” Said he: “Power is rested in the people. He is a mere custodian, or agent of their will. In talking to us in such a manner, he committed an act of insubordination.
If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded, or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future, “As his bosses, the
people have a right to demand the requisite performance and respect from him. He should apologize for treating them so lightly in this instance.”
Tinubu described the art of governance as ‘difficult and complex, especially during trying times.’ Saying that the steep reduction in global oil prices from over 100 dollars per barrel to roughly 40 dollars now presents a hard challenge, he advised that “we can no longer afford past practices,” which demands “a new creative reform, materially changing the substance of a national economic policy as well as the objectives of that policy, and how the policy is presented to the people. Therein lies the essence of progressive governance.” He said the Buhari administration represents the last best hope for the people, away from the corruption and reckless governance experienced ynder the immediate past regime of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The APC leader lamented the plight and hardship of Nigerians inflicted on them by the fuel crises, saying “there may be no economic matter more difficult to unravel and more sensitive to
the purse of the average person than the current fuel scarcity.”
He expressed optimism on its resolution because “ I know the commitment of the president to resolving this matter.”
On his concerns, and why he is alarmed by the statement from the minister, he said: “I am an avid and partisan supporter of this government and of the progressive policies of the party, the
APC, upon which this government is based. With that, I do reserve the right and the duty as a Nigerian to voice my opinion, when I believe a member of this government has strayed from
the progressive calling required of this administration. I do this because my greater devotion and love are for this nation and its people. party and politics fall
secondary.”
He spoke further on the impact of Kachikwu’s statement on the people and the economy, observing that it was needless, “untimely,” “off-­putting,” and “did not sit well with the people.” His rebuttal reads in part: “Perhaps the statement by Kachikwu was made in a moment of unguarded frustration or was an awkward attempt at a joke. Whatever the motive, it was untimely and offputting. The remark did not sit well with the Nigerian people;; they were as right to feel insulted as the Minister was wrong to have said such a thing. The fuel shortage is severely biting for the average person. They are forced to remain in lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too much money for too little fuel.
This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare are at stake. With so much on the
line. Kachikwu’s flippancy was out-­of-­line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they should just be
quiet and endure the shortage for several weeks more.” He continued: “Kachikwu’s intervention was unhelpful. It panicked and disappointed the public as to the duration of the crisis. It
insulted the people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a member of the elitist government the people voted out last year and not the progressive one they voted in. Kachikwu
must be reminded that he was not coerced to take this job. He accepted the job and its responsi-­
bilities knowingly. He also must remember that he does not own NNPC.This also is not a private company that owes nothing to
the public except the duty of fair dealing. He is a public servant.
The seat he sits upon is owned by Nigerians not by him. The
company he runs is owned by Nigerians not by him. They are
his boss.He is not theirs. Power is vested in the people. He is a
mere custodian or agent of their will. In talking to us in such a
manner, he committed an act of insubordination. If he had talked
so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future. As his ultimate bosses, the people have a right to demand the requisite performance and respect from him. He should apologize for treating them so lightly in this instance.
His portfolio being a strategically important one, he needs to reestablish the correct relationship with the public. They no longer feel he is working for their optimal benefit as their servant. Instead, he seems to be standing above them, telling them to take it or leave it. For his policies and stint in office to be successful and a help to this government, he must have the support and belief of the people at this tough time. He must talk to them in a way that they believe he seeks their best interest and understands the hardship weighing upon them. He must ask them to work with him and
perhaps to endure a bit longer but with the knowledge that he is working to resolve this matter as fast as he can and as permanently as possible. That he is dedicated to the position that once
these current lines are gone that never again shall they reappear
as long as he has any inluence in the matter. To do this, requires no
magic nor training in that strange craft. It requires empathy, com-­
passion and the willpower to forge a better Nigeria. These
must be the common trademarks of those serving in a progressive government for these attributes are integral parts of the spirit and ideals upon which the APC was founded. Upon such notions was
this administration voted into office by the Nigerian people in the operation of their sovereign
will to seek a national leadership that would pursue their interests to the utmost and give them every fair chance to live in a better Nigeria. .Even though times are hard we must all realize that they
would be even harder and much darker would be the immediate horizon had we allowed the venal, kleptocracy of the PDP to continue to lord over the land solely for their selfish benefit and not for the common good.
“I am confident that President Buhari and this government can
resolve the issues that press us.
From establishing full security and safety to staking a claim to true economic prosperity and fairness, this government shall salvage our national pride and purpose. Let all of us, in and
out, of government never forget this. If we adhere to this remembrance, we shall see that magic will not be needed to bring the progress we seek.”