It might come as a surprise to many Nigerians that celebrities in the country are against the removal of fuel subsidy, judging by their massive support for? President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2011 Presidential Election. Comments by some of these celebrities from different parts of the country on the removal of the hotly debated fuel subsidy removal by the president on New Year’s day, shows that they are bitter with the his action.that during the president’s electioneering campaign, a lot of Nigerian celebrities and in particular a member of the Mohits crew, D Banj, interviewed. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, Abuja and AJIBADE ALABI,? Lagos, of entertainment Rendezvou went ahead to seek the views of some of the celebrities. ?
CEO Mohits Records, Michael Elebeli Collins aka Don Jazzy,?
“I hardly regret the decisions I make. That my one vote added to put the current government in power is one decision I regret with all my heart.
Bearing his mind further, the? talented music producer said, “What I don’t know is, if the man we all voted for deceived us knowing [that] he would turn out to be like this or is there someone else leading us? May God help us. “God knows that the government has not given Mohits any kobo like I have always said. I am boldly putting [it] out here for anyone to contest.? We all voted for the President Jonathan because at that time, we thought and believed he would be the one to move the country forward. My conscience is clear,” he stated.
Adebayo Salami ‘Oga Bello’, former president of the Association of Nigeria Theatre and Arts Practitioners (ANTP)
“Government should not have removed fuel subsidy now. They should have considered the people they are governing before taking action. It is a bad timing. I heard that someone who claimed to be representing Nollywood was going about claiming that we artistes are in support of fuel subsidy removal. We never supported it. It is wickedness on the part of the government.”
Yemi Solade (Actor)
This fuel subsidy is a technical thing. It would have benefited Nigerians if it was well implemented. It may not be this year, but in years to come. It is? wrong timing on the part of the government.
Aguma,? an Abuja-based artiste
“When Blackface said in his song, this na hard life for Naija; People thought it was a joke. Thank God that everything is visible. We no go die.”
Aishat Ibrahim ‘Omoge Campus’ (Actress)
“It is wickedness of the highest order. Our leaders don’t have the fear of God for them to have taken such decision. I don’t blame them; when their wives don’t go to the market or go to filling stations to queue for kerosene, and the so-called leaders don’t to go to filling stations to queue for fuel.”
Cynthia Agbolor (Actress)
“It appears our government is confused and the best thing for them to do is to vacate their seats. They should provide for us accommodation, good roads, stable electricity, and other infrastructures before coming up with this subsidy removal of a thing. It is the height of wickedness.”
Foluke Daramola (Actress)
“This government is not sincere, if not they would have given us at least three-month notice before removing the subsidy. There are many issues that needed to be tackled other than the fuel subsidy removal. And the problem with Nigeria is that it depends so much on fuel than any other thing. Tell me why our railway is not working. This government is just wicked.”
Monalisa Chida (Actress)
“It should not be reversed, but the implementation should be done in phases of 50 per cent increment, rather than the 200 per cent that was done on January 1. Also, the refineries should be immediately revamped to optimum level of production to make the effect of the subsidy removal minimal on the masses.”
Lizzy Anjorin (Actress)
“Our leaders are just being wicked. Why remove the subsidy at this time of year when people are still trying to get their priorities right? It is bad.”
Osaretin Ogbemudia of Love Heart Production (movie producer and director)
“We are not against fuel subsidy, but the timing is the problem. How does he expect us to survive.
Bond Emeruwa, President, Directors Guild of Nigeria
“I don’t think Nigerians are ready for any subsidy removal now. There are many things to be done, not the fuel subsidy removal. There are other issues like power, security and so many things that require urgent attention. What do they mean by wanting to use the money for the subsidy to do other things? Can’t they remove the money from their own pocket? I learnt they budgeted 1.2 billion naira for the president’s feeding allowance ; can you imagine that? They are wicked!”