Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has asserted that the widespread protests against 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 Professor Udenta Udenta's 60th birthday in Abuja. Notable figures including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili attended the event.
President Jonathan's announcement on January 1, 2012, to remove fuel subsidy and raise petrol prices from N65 per liter to N141 per liter triggered the "Occupy Nigeria" protests across the country. The decision was met with significant public resistance, and after over a week of protests, the price was reduced to N97 per liter.
Fayemi criticized Nigeria's "winners take all" style of democracy, highlighting the need for proportional representation to address the nation's challenges effectively. He also noted that the last period of economic development in Nigeria was during Jonathan's administration.
Fayemi stressed the importance of inclusivity in governance and suggested putting the manifestos of political parties on the table to select individuals from all parties to implement programs
