Rattled Jonathan to announce austerity measures for govt officials in a broadcast

Newsdiaryonline  Fri Jan 6,2012

President Goodluck Jonathan is getting ready to address the nation as part of his attempts to placate Nigerians over his sudden withdrawal of fuel subsidy.Newsdiaryonline sources said the address is likely to come in ‘a day or two’.The looming  broadcast may be an indication that the government is rattled by the criticisms and protests trailing the removal of fuel subsidy.

Essentially ,said  a source, the president will respond to criticism that government is largely punishing Nigerians while its  officials have sacrificed  nothing.”The president is  going to announce the sacrifice himself and other officials  of his government will make in the light of unfolding events”,a source said this evening.

Newsdiaryonline learnt that the president’s speech is already in the works.”They are working on it as I talk to you now , ”an insider said Thursday night.

Whether the austerity measures for government officials to be unveiled by the president will indeed be far reaching enough to convince  Nigerians of  government’s sincerity  remains to be seen.