By Amby Uneze, KSJI
Nigeria is at the crossroads right now. The leadership of President Bola Tinubu has collapsed. He can no longer rescue Nigerians from imminent deaths as the current energy crisis have hit the roof tops. As at today, the 10th day of March, 2026 the pump prize of fuel - premium motor spirit (PMS) has gone to between N1,400 and N1,500 per liter.
Management of the economy is not a easy one, but then that is the mark of leadership. How can President Tinubu not been able to manage this fuel crisis at least to redeem his image as a failure? Activities surrounding the 2027 general elections are around the corner and Tinubu is not after the well-being of Nigerians. If people die due to the current hardship occasioned by the clueless of his administration, then who would vote for him?
If the war between US, Israel versus Iran is the cause of the oil crisis in Nigeria, then why is Nigeria a major oil producer? The government of APC promised Nigerians that the three Refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt would be fixed as far back as 2015 before the came into power. Twelve good years is enough to fix the refineries yet nothing to show for it. Billions of Dollars have been severally approved or budgeted to fix the refineries yet the whole money disappeared into the pockets of politicians and the leaders. When Dangote came to the rescue Nigerians felt some reliefs, yet the problem is still unbated. What is the hope of the common man in the streets: rejection, hopelessness, poverty, hunger, sickness and disease, and finally death. Oh! Nigeria, what is the way forward?
Message to Nigerians:
Why are we Nigerians so docile and always willing to swallow the 'death pills' without complaining or applying any resistance? How many poor and middle-class Nigerians can continue to buy a litre of fuel for N1,500 or N2,000 in the coming days if this continues this way? How many Nigerians are in the workforce of the government receiving the paltry N70,000 minimum wage? Must we be reminded always that this country only belongs to the rich alone - President Tinubu and his family members and friends, ministers, governor, senators, members of the National and States Assembly, Ambassadors, etc.
What I expect Nigerians to do this period is to down tools until the fuel situation improves. Let the commercial drivers park their vehicles, then if we cannot trek to our working places then, the offices would close until normalcy returns.
Postscripts:
I think we still have the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in this country. Where are the Joe Ajaeros, Festus Osifos of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), etc? Have they been compromised? Are they no longer speaking for Nigerians and Nigerian workers? This is the time to know who is a true Nigerian. I am indeed pained. I rest my case.
*Hon. Sir Amby Uneze is the Senior Correspondent of Thisday Newspapers in Imo
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