By Abu Ismail
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has made a startling admission, acknowledging that the protests against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2012 fuel subsidy removal were politically motivated. Speaking at a national dialogue in Abuja, Fayemi revealed that, despite understanding the necessity of the subsidy removal, opposition figures—including himself—exploited the situation for political gain.
Fayemi, a key figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former Minister of Solid Minerals, admitted that even though both major political parties at the time agreed on the need to end the subsidy regime, politics took precedence over national interest. “We owe Nigerians an apology,” he confessed, adding that the protests were not entirely about the economic implications but rather a strategic move to weaken Jonathan’s government ahead of the 2015 elections.
His statement is a rare acknowledgment of the role politics played in shaping public perception and policy resistance, an issue that continues to plague governance in Nigeria. Many still recall how the 2012 protests, tagged “Occupy Nigeria,” saw thousands of citizens take to the streets in opposition to Jonathan’s decision, which, ironically, was later implemented by the same political actors who resisted it.
Fayemi further urged Nigeria’s political class to rethink governance strategies, advocating for a more inclusive political system, such as proportional representation, to reduce divisive and adversarial politics. His comments have reignited debates about the sincerity of political leaders and the cost of political gamesmanship on national development.
The revelation also raises questions about the sincerity of similar protests in the past and how opposition forces manipulate public sentiments for electoral gains. As Nigerians grapple with the realities of another subsidy removal under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fayemi’s confession serves as a sobering reminder of how politics, rather than economic necessity, often dictates major policy decisions in the country.
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