**Date:** September 5, 2023
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has claimed that the protests that followed the fuel subsidy removal during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012 were primarily driven by political interests. Fayemi made this statement during a keynote address at a national dialogue celebrating the 60th birthday of Professor Udenta Udenta in Abuja.
The fuel subsidy removal in 2012, which led to an increase in the pump price of petrol, triggered mass protests across Nigeria, known as the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protests. President Jonathan later adjusted the price, reducing it to N97 per litre.
Fayemi criticized Nigeria’s “winners take all” style of democracy and advocated for proportional representation, where the spoils of elections are shared among contestants. He suggested that proportional representation could help address some of the country’s challenges.
He also mentioned that during Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria experienced economic development, highlighting the need for alternative politics in the country.
Fayemi’s comments come amidst ongoing discussions about Nigeria’s political system and the need for electoral reforms to address various issues in the nation’s democracy.
