OCCUPY NIGERIA: THE PEOPLE'S DEMAND!

by Olumide Iluyomade 

Salutation to all great Nigerian citizens! A hearty congratulation to all who have demonstrated an admirable resolve and participated in the struggle to bring a change to the state of affairs, the polity and the politics of our fatherland. It warms the heart to know that the Nigerian people have demonstrated oneness in unity and shown a steely resolve not to give place to the corrupt and fraudulent demands of the government and its agents. 

The occupy Nigeria movement has indeed become more that a struggle against the removal of petrol subsidy. It has become an unprecedented uprising and a reawakening of the people, by the people, for the people! The occupy Nigeria movement has become a channel of change and a conduit of hope for the people to express their frustration, their disappointment and their discontent with the state of affairs in our moribund Nation and thereby forcing a turn-around!

Nigerian people are justifiably angry and frustrated at a government which like all its predecessors has taken the people for granted for far too long! The people have come to the crossroad and drawn a line. They have made a decision to speak against self aggrandizement in public service, against embezzlement, against malfeasance, against wasteful public spending, against governmental impotence and incompetence, against pilferage, against lack of accountability, against shady dealings and governmental lawlessness! The people have taken a stance today against CORRUPTION in all of its ramification!

In other for this struggle to be successful and for it to bring about the desired change and result, the people must stay united and unmovable. We must organise our thoughts and present a united front with one voice! With or without NLC, the movement must achieve its larger purpose and force the government to sit up and clean house! Hence we cannot afford to be disunited or disorganised – this is exactly the kind of advantage the government seeks!

For the second week, the people must of necessity put forward organised demands and present it to the federal government representatives. A demand list serves not only to present the federal government with concrete aims and objectives, but it is also a notification that represents the will and aspiration of the people for the present and the future. Regardless of how feasible and achievable or unachievable it may be considered, it becomes a references point and a standard of performance from that point on!

Finally, it is imperative that this struggle be given a slogan – something that is representative of our aspiration, something that captures the essence and the spirit of the struggle. Like an echo, a slogan’s power lies in its ability to simplify and amplify, carrying a message far beyond the reach of any individual. A slogan gives wings and life to a movement, carrying its message beyond borders, beyond walls and beyond human divides! It is in this spirit that I therefore suggest the following slogan;

SLOGAN:  “FIGHT CORRUPTION NOT FUEL SUBSIDY!”

Also below, I have collated and compiled a 25 point demand list! The demands are a collation of my thoughts and the demands that have been voiced by several people during this struggle. The demands are straight forward, feasible and should not be a challenge for a sincere and honest government. Everything in the demand may not be achievable now, however it represents a good starting point! The demands that embody the aspiration of the people are as follows;

1. We demand an immediate reinstatement and the reversion of petroleum product prices back to N65 per litre, as it was in the year 2011.
2. We demand all federal owned Refineries to be assessed and inspected by qualified and independent consultants. We demand that operational status and condition report on Refineries be made public. Furthermore, we demand that all refineries be made fully functional.
3. We demand an immediate investigation and audit of the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy program between 2008 and 2011! We demand that the investigation and audit be carried out by reputable and qualified firms and the report made public.
4. Furthermore, we demand for all companies, firms and individuals that participated in the Subsidy program to be investigated for fraudulent claims. We demand that all fraudulent perpetuators and offenders be duly prosecuted without delay!
5. We demand an overhaul of the current subsidy program. We demand that the FGN discharge its duties properly and put in place measures that ensure that the subsidy program is implemented with integrity, free of fraud and graft!
6. We demand that only established petroleum marketers and qualified companies with verifiable fuel storage capacity should be approved in the newly overhauled subsidy program.
7. We demand an immediate end to wanton acts of corruption and malfeasance at all levels of government and we demand a renewed commitment by the federal government to fight and prosecute corruption at all levels of governance.
8. We demand that the federal government make public, a full account of how the funds in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was expended and depleted! We demand a full and comprehensive audit of the ECA account between 2007 and 2011. We demand an end to governmental profligacy, wasteful spending and irresponsible management of public funds
9. We demand that the legislative branch, along with the executive branch of the federal government act responsibly and discharge their duties to the Nigerian people by passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and fully implement the recommendations therein contained without further delay! 
10. We demand that the Federal government enact a law that makes it illegal for any government agency to purchase vehicles for official use that exceeds $25,000 USD in total value. The only exception being the Presidency!
11. We demand an immediate legislation and law that makes it unconstitutional to apply more than 5% of any government agency’s annual budget to ‘Security Vote’!
12. We demand an end to unnecessary judicial delays and the immediate prosecution of all present or former public officials with pending corruption cases in the nation’s Courts
13. We demand an end to the practice of passing Local Government allocations through State Government’s offices. This horrible practice ensures and encourages theft and pilferage of funds allocated to the grassroots.
14. We demand the legislation of a law that puts an end to the practice of releasing funds to Government agencies in cash. We demand that the Nigerian government carry out all governmental transactions with Checks.
15. We demand an immediate end to the immunity clause as is currently applicable to any political office holder – this rule has only ensured and encouraged embezzlement, pilferage and wanton abuse of office!
16. We demand and call for an immediate end to all policies of importation monopoly or protectionism which is sanctioned by the government at the expense of the people! This includes the policies designed to protect and enrich favoured individuals and firms in the importation of essential good and commodities!
17. We demand that the Federal government review the emolument and compensation of federal legislators and Senators. Furthermore, we demand that the legislative ‘Constituency Allowance’ be abolished, outlawed and eliminated immediately!
18. We demand that all executive emoluments and compensation be made public in a comprehensive format. We further demand that all executive pay packets, if out of scale, be slashed and made commensurate in value with the rest of the nation and economy.
19. We demand that the Presidential fleet of seven (7) jets be drastically reduced to only (3) three executive jets – One for the president, one for auxiliary service and one for the use of other agencies and branches of government.
20. We demand that the current administration make a serious commitment to shrinking the nation’s oversized recurrent expenditure, cutting waste and reducing the size of government, especially with regards to the number of federal Ministries, parastatals and unnecessary portfolios!
21. We demand an end to unnecessary public sponsored foreign travel at all levels of government. Furthermore, we demand that any necessary travels be performed using only ‘Economy’ class tickets! This policy must be implemented across the board to ensure that all public officials make necessary sacrifices.
22. We demand that the federal government and its security agencies discharge their responsibilities with regards to the internal security of the nation. We demand immediate and unequivocal measures to be adopted to arrest the activities of Boko Haram and bring its perpetrators to book!
23. We demand that the Nigerian Police Force be sanctioned and called to order! We demand an immediate end to all extra judicial killings by the police. We demand that all pending cases of extra judicial killings be swiftly adjudicated and for true justice to be served! We demand commensurate compensation for all victims of such tragic injustice.
24. We demand an immediate end to the barbaric policy of using live ammunition against peaceful and unarmed protestors! We salute all fallen comrades in this struggle and we demand an immediate enquiry into the cause of their death. We also demand full compensation and an official and contrite apology to the victim’s family.
25. Finally, we demand an immediate review of the 2012 Federal Budget with a view to amending and updating it to reflect the demands herein written according to the objectives and aspirations made known by the people. We the people have spoken!