Writers, artistes fight subsidy removal

In an unprecedented move, writers across the country, as individuals and groups have gone beyond talking to taking actions, joining and in some instances leading protests against the new government policy that has seen petrol pump price rise to between N150 to N200 from N65. Facebook and Twitter posts by some writers have been scathing […]

In an unprecedented move, writers across the country, as individuals and groups have gone beyond talking to taking actions, joining and in some instances leading protests against the new government policy that has seen petrol pump price rise to between N150 to N200 from N65.

Facebook and Twitter posts by some writers have been scathing in condemning the government’s move. In a rather bold facebook status update, multiple award winning writer Uche Peter Umez went as far as inviting all those in support of the subsidy withdrawal to “defriend” him. He promised to unfriend those whose comments suggest they are in support of the move.

But the anger goes beyond social networks as Ibadan based writer Ayodele Olofuntuade demonstrated when she joined the protests on Tuesday.

“We are not just facebook protesters,” she said under a facebook picture of herself gearing up to join the protests. Many writers have been on social media, updating on protests in their various locations.

Others have taken it more seriously. Dr. Emman Shehu, who leads the Abuja Writers Forum travelled all the way to Sokoto, some 483 km northwest of his Abuja base to help organize and participate in the rally there. He has been active in several online forums raging against the subsidy removal.

In Minna, budding literary talents, Gimba Kakanda and Awaal Gata have been spearheading protest organization in the Niger State capital even when they have been blacklisted by the State Security Services while poet and lawyer Richard Ali is coordinating protest in volatile Jos.

“That the engagement of Nigerian writers, as evidenced in ANA’s communiqué on the 4th, is a welcome development. Noteworthy is the writers of Nigeria understanding the plight of the common masses and bringing considerable maturity to bear on the FGN,” he said.

In the capital Abuja, writer and critic Ahmed Maiwada is part of the legal team for the occupy Abuja protest who took the streets Friday.

The association of Nigeria Auhtors has since Wednesday issued a statement condemning the subsidy withdrawal as premature and called on the government to “immediately [reverse] its removal of fuel subsidy until such a time when all parties have exhausted negotiations and agreed on this very sensitive matter,” the statement jointly signed by ANA president Prof. Remi Raji and its Secretary General BM Dzukogi said.

However it would seem most writers have disregarded the associations call for its members and the youths generally “to refrain from actions that will further complicate the general security of the country,” by defying security operatives and planning what have so far been peaceful protests across the country.

The association is principally concerned about the lack of accessibility to publishing infrastructure that is already seriously hampered by the country’s destitute economy. “This subsidy removal may be counter-productive to the development of creative writing in the country,” the association said.

And Artistes too…

Some popular artistes are not lagging behind in the protest. A shirtless Seun Kuti, son of late Afrobeat king Fela, joined the protest in Lagos. He had attacked the policy on his Twitter account saying, “We must not accept the fuel subsidy removal. This is the point when we choose to either control our future or allow the most selfish and evil people ruin our children’s future. Please, join your local movement we must stop this shit!”

Other celebrities who joined the protest include singer Banky W and TV personality Funmi Iyanda, while popular music producer Don Jazzy took to Twitter to say his decision to vote for the current government “is one decision I regret with all my heart.”

As popular protests continue and the government digs in for a long fight, what has become clear is that Nigerian artistes and writers have talked the talk and are now coming out to walk the walk other Nigerians.