Some musicians on Monday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan at a rally called by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to protest the removal of fuel subsidy.
Some actors and actresses such as Bimbo Akintola, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and popular actor Jide Kosoko also condemned the unpopular action.
Some of the players in the entertainment industry once enjoyed a beneficial relationship with the then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan during the April election. But whatever remained of that bond has seemingly broken by his refusal to revert his decision which has increased fuel price to N141.
One of the musicians, Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly called DBanj, who was believed to be a major beneficiary of the backing, was, however, absent.
Scion of Fela Afrobeat dynasty, Femi, lamented the lack which many Nigerians suffer amidst abundance. He noted that the subsidy removal was akin to increasing the people’s hardship.
According to him, some Nigerians will have to be killed to move the country forward.
His brother, Seun, said since Jonathan earned a Phd in Zoology, he wanted to treat Nigerians like animals. He said, ‘‘But we will not allow that. This protest is not only about fuel subsidy but all the cheatings we have endured and still enduring.’’
On his part, Dede Mabiaku, urged Nigerians not to be weary in the protest against fuel subsidy removal and bad governance.
Besides, fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), urged the government to give the people good governance.
He said, ‘‘The people did not use any weapon such as axe, gun or cutlass. Give us what rightly belongs to us. Nigerians want good roads, jobs, affordable healthcare and quality education.’’
Akintola noted that while prices of consumable goods and transport fare had risen, workers’ salary had yet increased.
Singers who later sang against the Goodluck Jonathan administration and his policy of subsidy removal include Abolore Akande (9ice), fuji musician Muri Thunder, Sound Sultan, Ras Kimono, KWAM 1, Femi and Seun among others.
Also at the event, the President, Association of Nollywood Core Producers, Mr. Alex Eyengho, stated that the subsidy removal was anti-people. He explained that the group was prepared to support Nigerians to reject the hike in fuel price.
Eyengho said, ‘‘He who the gods want to kill they first make mad. That is what we are witnessing in the President’s decision. When the song changes the dance steps must change too. We are changing our dance steps.’’
Also, News Agency of Nigeria reported that the artistes said they would produce a movie on fuel subsidy to depict the effect of the removal on the people.
Kosoko told NAN that a script writer had already been commissioned to work on the project.
“We feel the pains like other Nigerians. We will shoot a film to let the government know how the people feel and how they are suffering.
“And that is why we are appealing to the government to reverse the decision,’’ he said.
Oshodi-Oke and Femi stressed the need for the current development, including protests, to be documented in films.
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