A member of the House of Representatives, Uzoma Nkem Abonta, has said President Muhammadu Buhari must apologize to former President Goodluck Jonathan for inciting massive protest against fuel subsidy removal in January 2012.
The lawmaker who spoke on Sunday, May 15, 2016, said President Buhari who condemned the subsidy removal has turned around to remove the same subsidy and increased fuel price to an unbearable price for the average Nigerian.
The lawmaker representing Ukwa federal constituency of Abia State, told ThisDay that Buhari must tender an unreserved apology to Jonathan, saying Buhari took a destructive position in 2012 without reasoning and economic analysis.
Abonta, who, though expressed support for the removal, called for a total deregulation of the sector, passage and implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Several members of the opposition party have already berated the Buhari administration for campaigning with promises that he would not increase the price of fuel but failed to keep the promise.
Abonta also accused the seventh house of representatives of playing the script of those who wanted Jonathan to fail with the resolution against the removal in 2012.
“They occupied Nigeria in 2012. What changed between 2012 and now causing the increase? That means they were ignorant and lacked political reasoning. The criticized Jonathan out of trying to condemn him.
“Those who surround him (Buhari) misled Nigerians using the labour movement. Lai Mohammed was one of those who occupied Nigeria. What would he say now?” Abonta said.
“I hope the eighth assembly would do the right thing and let the removal stay, although those at the helm now all canvassed against it, now they should tell Nigerians sorry,” he added.
