Shettima comes under fire following reports of an alleged directive to the FCCPC about Sahad Stores, leading to widespread criticism.
Alleged public admission from Vice President Kashim Shettima to have issued a directive in favor of Sahad Stores has resulted in significant criticism. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is reportedly involved.
On Sunday, the national coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, issued a statement expressing condemnation.
Vice President Shettima confessed to intervening in the FCCPC’s operations by directing the immediate reopening of Sahad Stores for disregarding pricing regulations while commissioning Sahad Hospitals in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the statement, there has been widespread anger and concerns raised about governmental integrity and regulatory impartiality in response to the Vice President’s comments. He admitted that he had directly contacted FCCPC leaders in order to push for a store reopening without first being fully informed on the matter.
The actions of Vice President Shettima were unequivocally condemned by HURIWA. They were deemed to be a violation of the fundamental principles of fairness, justice, and accountability.
The FCCPC stressed that the Vice President’s intervention not only weakens the agency’s power but also diminishes public trust in the administration’s dedication to enforcing regulations, notably regarding safeguarding consumers’ interests and ensuring equitable competition.
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According to Onwubiko, “The Vice President’s confession is extremely concerning and signifies a notable violation of the public’s reliance.”
The Vice President’s actions have directly gone against the fundamental values of good governance, transparency and accountability that are crucial for any democratic society to thrive. HURIWA has emphasized that this could eventually lead to an atmosphere where influential individuals and their cohorts assume they have absolute impunity from the rule of law.
Expressing concern, HURIWA noted that the interference of Vice President Shettima could potentially send a perilous message to regulatory bodies indicating that their decisions may be overruled by senior officials based on personal inclination.
The organization contends that such actions could have significant implications for the efficacy and autonomy of regulatory bodies, including the FCCPC, whose primary responsibilities entail protecting consumer interests and upholding equitable business practices.
According to Onwubiko, the FCCPC is responsible for safeguarding consumers and ensuring that businesses comply with legal regulations. When a Vice President disregards the decisions made by this entity based on personal motives, it not only diminishes its credibility but also jeopardizes the welfare of common Nigerians.
According to HURIWA, Sahad Stores’ closure decision by FCCPC was based on solid proof of misconduct such as deceptive pricing schemes and a dearth of transparency.
Sahad Stores was found to be in breach of Section 115 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 by displaying lower prices on shelves but charging higher prices at checkout during an investigation conducted by The Commission. Further misgivings were raised regarding their business practices due to Sahad stores’ non-cooperation with FCCPC’s summons, failing compliance with investigations.
According to Onwubiko, the Vice President’s intervention in reopening the store without allowing for due process completion has effectively diminished the Commission’s efforts and communicated that those with privileged connections can operate outside legal boundaries.
HURIWA has called for a comprehensive inquiry into the activities and conditions that led to the reopening of Sahad Stores, following these disclosures.
The group additionally called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly address the loss of trust in the autonomy and power of institutions such as the FCCPC and regulatory agencies. They emphasized that these bodies must be shielded from unwarranted political meddling.
In a statement, HURIWA urged the President to take immediate action in reassuring Nigerians that our democracy is still founded on the rule of law. It emphasized that those who hold influential positions should not believe they can flout laws for their personal gain or benefit friends and acquaintances. The preservation of consumer rights and upholding institutional integrity are imperative even if it entails paying a high price.
