Former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has said that what is obvious with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the fact that Nigerians will have to go through a very tough time until the Supreme Court makes its final decision over his election.
He however said that it is important for Tinubu to understand that just like a pilot, when he is climbing out and hits the head wind, he has to be in full focus.
Agbakoba further said that President Tinubu as the pilot ought to be using full power just like when a pilot is climbing, that has to add more power to trot, adding that in the case of Nigeria, what he saw Captain Tinubu doing at this stage is using only 50 percent of his throttle power instead of pushing the throttle to the limit so that the climb-out can be great.
He further said; “I will say that the turbulence will continue until the Supreme Court makes its final decision. Generally speaking, President Tinubu has taken on a very challenging assignment.
“What is obvious is that Nigerians have to go through a very tough time. It has been the toughest time in the history of this country since independence, as garri, rice, vegetables, and other staple foods are way out of the reach of the common man.
“It is important that the unsettled issue of the Supreme Court be decided so that we can put it behind us. Whoever emerges will still face the challenge President Tinubu is facing now. It is tough, and Nigeria has never been in this situation. Apart from the issue of the removal of subsidies and unified exchange rate issues, I will also add another headwind, which is the Nigeria political configuration.
“This is what people often refer to as restructuring. These are the three areas anybody who is confirmed as Nigeria’s President has to confront; otherwise, we will be on the merry-go-round.
“Again, when the pilot fails to make a full plan to reach the cruising level, there is always a possibility of what is called an air return. This means that the plane comes back to the airport and lands. I hope you understand that that possibility is there,” he said.
Agbakoba noted that there was no question that the political climate is in turmoil particularly against the backdrop of the expectations of the political parties with respect to the decision of the Supreme Court that will cause a major headway.
He said that the first headwind that will begin to settle the issue is the Supreme Court’s decision while the second headwind will be to stabilise the economy by deciding the micro-economic, Fiscal and monetary policies as well as creating jobs adding that otherwise, the exchange rate market will continue to climb.
He pointedly said that there are a lot of challenges and headwinds that would confront anyone who is eventually confirmed as president, stressing that there was no doubt, we are in very challenging times.
In the words of Agbakoba; “After 63 years of independence, we are still where we are, struggling to get it right. It is bad leadership. All our political parties have let us down. They do not take into consideration the interests of Nigerians; they are only looking after their own interests.
“All the political parties don’t put Nigeria and Nigerians first; otherwise, I don’t see why we shouldn’t have overcome these challenges a very long time ago. It is just a cycle. Go back to 1999 till date, nothing is new. They come, they make promises that they will do all kinds of things, stabilise the economy, stabilise the currency, but they do nothing.
“Is it not a big shame that we produce crude, yet we import petrol? I can give an idea of how to reduce the price of PMS today by half. To achieve that, NNPC should sell crude to many modular refineries in the country at a naira price. Why should NNPC sell our crude oil to Nigerian modular refineries in dollars?
“We must set aside a national crude oil scheme for local consumption. The price will drop to N300. I dare NNPC to try it; the price will drop. But if you sell it at the international market rate, how will those who are selling it locally source forex to buy and thereafter sell in Naira? They just have to jack up the price! That is the problem.
“It is important that the government understands how and when to make the right decision to help people and alleviate suffering,” he said.
…Sourced from Saturday Vanguard
