The federal government has been advised to do away with its plan to remove fuel subsidy and retain it in order to ensure true federalism, re-engineer the economy, emphasise wealth creation as well as to correct the perception of the public that democracy has become a tool for oppressing the masses.
The General Overseer, New Covenant Sabbath Church, Apostle Gideon Igwe, who gave this counsel during the second edition of his church’s annual Passover festival of shelter celebration, tagged, “let the people of Sabbath in Nigeria shine” described government’s plan? to remove the fuel subsidy as a major shift from President Jonathan’s desires to raise the living standard of the people.
Stressing that the proposal would inflict so much suffering on the people, he lamented that all the countries with which Nigeria was at par within the quest for development 50 years ago had left it behind, and warned that government must be guided to avert the looming danger associated with the intention.
“Concerning the removal of fuel subsidy, as a priest of God, I am praying that God should guide our leaders, the President and National Assembly members, to take decisions that will be favourable to the people.
I will advise that government do not remove the fuel subsidy, and not allow a hike in the prices of fuel because doing so will bring untold hardship upon the people of God, and will lead to a rise in the prices of goods in the market”, Igwe said.
He urged? President Goodluck Jonathan to take a cue from the template of the transformational leadership ideas, visions and services set by developed countries rather than concern itself only with the gains of the petroleum sector of the economy.
?Apostle Igwe charged government to forthwith, open up the agricultural sector by boosting mechanised farming so as to create more jobs for the? unemployed in the country.
The Clergyman who further revealed that God was at the verge of delivering the country out of doom, said , Nigerians must embrace God as a pre-requisite. “When the people deviate from God and turn to do evil, it makes the light of God not to shine in them.” He explained’.