The pro-subsidy removal adverts are being sponsored by five faceless organisations, namely Campaign Against Waste, Mass Interest Movement, Campaign in Support of Deregulation, Mass Interest Project and Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme.
No names of people or addresses are used to sign the adverts, raising suspicion that the government or its foot soldiers are behind the promotions.
The adverts have been going on in major national newspapers, television and radio stations as well as on the South Africa-based cable satellite provider DSTV since October.
The first adverts appeared late October in a national newspaper, which has so far run eight full colour pages, three black and white pages and two wrap-arounds, costing about N56 million.
Another newspaper had one full colour page, three black and white pages and two wrap-arounds, amounting to about N36 million. Yet another one got 18 pages, comprising 14 full colour pages and four black and white, totalling N8.3 million. Others papers got a total of about N20 million worth of advert placement from these groups.
Also, the pro-subsidy removal adverts being run at the average of three slots per day on two major national television networks since October have so far gulped about N224 million. Radio networks also run jingles worth about N36 million.
Adverts on DSTV cost about $650 per slot, but it could not be confirmed how many slots were aired on the cable stations and how much was paid for them.
The figures mentioned above do not include advertisements slots bought on several FM stations in Abuja and other major cities around the country.
Daily Trust could not establish the people behind these adverts because they are mostly placed indirectly through advert agencies.
Reacting to this campaign for subsidy removal, the organised labour urged security agencies to fish out and prosecute the faceless groups behind the advertisements.
Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Owei Lakemfa alleged that the Federal Government is behind these adverts, saying that it is a criminal offence. President General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, said the activities of the groups will not deter Nigerian workers from resisting the removal of subsidy.
?It is a shame that the Federal Government which claims it wants to save money for development will use scarce resources to pay faceless organisations to carry out nefarious acts against Nigerians. In fact it is a tragedy,? he said.
Speaking to Daily Trust on the allegation by organised labour, Special Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Sam Nwabosi, said it is an allegation which he cannot respond to, adding that people can form their opinion on whatever issue whether for or against any government policy.
?In Nigeria, there is freedom of association; if any Nigerian wants to air their views, they are free to do so whether in support or against whatever policy,? Nwabosi said.
President Goodluck Jonathan is reported to be pushing ahead in his plan to end fuel subsidies, despite the opposition from labour groups and federal lawmakers.
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to reject the planned removal of subsidy saying it was premature. But a news report yesterday said the president was considering issuing an executive order to remove the subsidies.
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