Tinubu says Atiku’s plan to restore fuel subsidy reflects ignorance of Nigeria’s governance and economic realities.
President Tinubu on Thursday flayed Atiku over his plan to return fuel subsidy if elected President next year, saying the ex-number two man is ignorant of governance and economy.
Speaking while receiving in audience at the State House, Abuja, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, he declared that the move by Atiku to reintroduce petrol subsidy showed his high level of ignorance in governance and economy
He said: “Let’s look at the trajectory of the history. I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy.”
The President buttressed his argument with the fact that before the removal of fuel subsidies by his administration over three years ago, no fewer that 27 state were unable to pay salaries of workers.
According to him, the governors were always coming cap in hand to Abuja to beg for bailout from the government at the centre.
His said: “Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers. In your state, I know a man that I raised who is nicknamed half salary.
“They come to the federal government, cap in hand, unable to do anything. Salary you pay for each families. They were at the local governments too. They are in the states. We are at the concentration of population.”
Tinubu advised Osun governor who just secured a second term in office to reconcile with his opponents during last Saturday’s election in the state.
He stressed that taking such step will show his appreciation to the people and not necessarily through singing.The President also used himself as an example saying it’s through the grace of God that he got to where he is at the moment.
Said he: “All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it. Use me as an example. And I got here. God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people.
‘It’s just their support, not their smartness. It’s the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you. And you are in a very, very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace, and stability.
“Use it. It started as a progressive. All you are doing now is progressive instinct. And you did a very good mobilization with your team. Very good job. You saw fear. You screamed. Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promote the rule of law. Don’t stigmatize any of your opponent.”
Speaking with newsmen after the visit, Adeleke said he was at the Villa to appreciate the President for ensuring that people’s will prevailed during last Saturday’s election in Osun State.
His words: “I’m here to thank Mr. President, the father of the nation, because he fought for this democracy. That is why he allowed free and fair election, and that is the result. That is why I’m here, to say thank him for ensuring that democracy lives in Nigeria.”
Ex-VP in Major Volte Face, Alters Past Views on Subsidy
However, Atiku’s renewed promise to restore petrol subsidy has brought his past position on the controversial policy back into focus, with his earlier public statements showing that he once strongly backed the removal of subsidy and the liberalisation of the downstream petroleum sector.
In a series of statements between 2020 and 2023, , Atiku welcomed the move to remove fuel subsidy, describing subsidy and price fixing as a source of corruption and a constraint on investment.
Atiku’s position at the time was that the government should move away from regulating petrol prices and allow market forces to determine prices, while redirecting resources towards expanding domestic refining capacity and strengthening the economy.
He had also argued that Nigeria could no longer afford to continue spending public funds to support petrol prices, particularly when the country lacked sufficient fiscal resources and domestic refining capacity.
The former Vice President’s position was also rooted in his experience in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, where he said he was involved in negotiations with organised labour over efforts to progressively withdraw fuel subsidy.
“FG finally withdraws from the fuel subsidy and price-fixing bazaar that had been rife with corruption and stalling investments. This is something patriots have been calling for and for which I was demonised.
“They come to the federal government, cap in hand, unable to do anything. Salary you pay for each families. They were at the local governments too. They are in the states. We are at the concentration of population.”
Tinubu advised Osun governor who just secured a second term in office to reconcile with his opponents during last Saturday’s election in the state.
He stressed that taking such step will show his appreciation to the people and not necessarily through singing.The President also used himself as an example saying it’s through the grace of God that he got to where he is at the moment.
Said he: “All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it. Use me as an example. And I got here. God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people.
‘It’s just their support, not their smartness. It’s the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you. And you are in a very, very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace, and stability.
“Use it. It started as a progressive. All you are doing now is progressive instinct. And you did a very good mobilization with your team. Very good job. You saw fear. You screamed. Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promotes rule of law. Don’t stigmatize any of your opponent.”
Speaking with newsmen after the visit, Adeleke said he was at the Villa to appreciate the President for ensuring that people’s will prevailed during last Saturday’s election in Osun State.
His words: “I’m here to thank Mr. President, the father of the nation, because he fought for this democracy. That is why he allowed free and fair election, and that is the result. That is why I’m here, to say thank him for ensuring that democracy lives in Nigeria.”
Ex-VP in Major Volte Face, Alters Past Views on Subsidy
However, Atiku’s renewed promise to restore petrol subsidy has brought his past position on the controversial policy back into focus, with his earlier public statements showing that he once strongly backed the removal of subsidy and the liberalisation of the downstream petroleum sector.
In a series of statements between 2020 and 2023, , Atiku welcomed the move to remove fuel subsidy, describing subsidy and price fixing as a source of corruption and a constraint on investment.
Atiku’s position at the time was that the government should move away from regulating petrol prices and allow market forces to determine prices, while redirecting resources towards expanding domestic refining capacity and strengthening the economy.
He had also argued that Nigeria could no longer afford to continue spending public funds to support petrol prices, particularly when the country lacked sufficient fiscal resources and domestic refining capacity.
The former Vice President’s position was also rooted in his experience in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, where he said he was involved in negotiations with organised labour over efforts to progressively withdraw fuel subsidy.
“FG finally withdraws from the fuel subsidy and price-fixing bazaar that had been rife with corruption and stalling investments. This is something patriots have been calling for and for which I was demonised.
