Fuel Subsidy

By ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH Mr. Muhammed Adesegun Ajibola (SAN), son of the eminent jurist and a former Justice of the world court, Justice Bola Ajibola, in this interview with Law and Human Rights, spoke on the passage of anti same sex marriage Bill by the Senate. He argued that the Senate’s decision was in line with the yearnings of majority of Nigerians. He said it was time for Africa nations to tackle what he called neo-colonialism on how western nations intervene in affairs of the Africa countries . He also urged the federal Government to put on hold the implementation of its decision on the removal of fuel subsidy pending sufficient consultations. He also spoke on the controversies trailing a uniform national minimum wage for the country, especially its legality. Excerpts: What is your overview of the recent Bill on same sex marriage passed by the Senate? It is a reflection of the cultural values of our people. It is in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the majority of Nigerians, who have spoken on the issue, who the lawmakers are representing in the Senate embolden by law to pass the Bill. They have carried out the process and concluded it. It is commendable whether anybody is happy with it or not. What is important is that, it has gone through a due process and it is concluded in accordance with our laws in this country. There are some diplomatic threats from some countries in the West, especially, USA, U.K. and Canada on the passage of the bill, stressing that it encroached on some individual rights. There are arguments here and there but at the end of the day only one argument will win the day, as long as it has gone through the process made by law. Yes, I am aware that some Western countries predominantly UK and US expressed their misgivings in the constitutional act just carried out in passing the law and there have been threats of withdrawing their supports of grants or aids. I think it is time for African countries to wake up and fight the scourge of neo- colonialism with Western powers wanting to impose their laws on us. It looks like an effort to control virtually every aspects of our lives where possible because they give us aids and grants. It is because of our inability to effectively explore and exploit our resources and the mismanagement of the resources we have that has kept us as beggar nation in this continent. I think it is a wake up call for us all to stand up for what we believe in, to fight for it at any cost. Otherwise, we will remain in perpetual economic slavery and political dominance. Look at UK for instance, it’s a member of EU, but it recently opposed all the positions and all the directions in respect of the Euro. They said they were doing so for national interest. Interest is the common language to the Western world when they want to do what suits them. They do not seem to consider that same expression dwells with African nations when they feel they want to do what is right for them. I think it is unfair and I think it is inequitable circumstance that they are trying to foster. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. As a sovereign nation, it is our national interest to pass a bill which outlaws same sex marriages, it is a bastardization of the process and the challenge to the sovereignty of this country, for us to be threatened by aids and grants as means of pushing their own will on us as a people. To some, the issue concern is religious, to some it is spiritual, to some it is moral, while it is cultural to others. So, it transcends what we want to put in our mouth on daily basis. So, we find some diverse minds that have come together to achieve common purpose. There is no divergence over the issue. The two main religious groups in the country spoke in one voice over the passing of the Bill. So, it is absurd and almost upsetting to hear western world threatening Nigeria for taken a decision that suit them. So, they can passed the law in their own country, but they should leave us alone to do what suit us as a country