Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu
National
Leader of the All progressives Congress and former Lagos State Governor,
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Kaduna, asked President Muhammadu
Buhari to immediately remove the subsidy on fuel, saying that it had
overstayed its usefulness.
Tinubu
argued that since the ordinary Nigerians no longer benefit from it, the
oil subsidy regime must go for the country to move forward.
In a
keynote address, entitled, “Towards the economic liberation of Nigeria,
Bala Usman’s enduring relevance” delivered at the memorial conference
organised in honour of the Late Dr. Bala Usman by the Centre for
Democratic Development, Research and Training, Zaria, the former
governor said his call for subsidy removal was not mere talk but a call
to action for those in authority.
According to him, there are too many demons in the system which need to be removed.
He noted
that to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, the government
must as a matter of urgency embark on programmes benefiting the poorest
in the country.
He listed
such programmes as transportation subsidies, school feeding, improved
basic medical care and coverage for the poor as well as provision of
potable water to Nigeria.
This, he
noted, should be done simultaneously with the oil subsidy removal by the
government. The APC National leader said, “Better that we remove it,
not for the austere purpose of saving money, but to use the money more
wisely that we might better save the people. Let us begin a process of a
thoughtful but decisive subsidy phase-out.
“While
this is happening, we should simultaneously phase in social programmes
benefiting the poorest, and most vulnerable, among us.
“Programmes
such as transportation subsidies, school feeding, improved basic
medical care and coverage for the poor, and potable water projects are
some of the things that can be done with the same funds. What I have
said here is more than talk. It is a call to action.
“In a
perfect world, I wish we could sanitise the subsidy regime and thus
continue it. However, I have reached the conclusion that there are too
many demons in the system for that hell to be turned into heaven. This
way we can undertake this massive expenditure confident that the fruits
will go to the hungry, not the already over-fed. End the fuel subsidy.
Subsidise the people instead. Subsidise the people instead!” he
insisted.
“Fuel
subsidy was a good idea that has been perverted into its opposite.
Created to aid the common man, it is now a device used by the crooked to
produce a windfall for themselves.”
While
extolling the virtue of the late historian, Tinubu noted that with all
his royalty, he chose to align with the poor masses.
He said, “Bala could have combined his royal lineage with his academic erudition to enjoy the high and easy life.
“He could
have been part of any government or ruling clique that suckled itself on
toil, blood and patience of the people. Bala chose to side with the
masses. Now it is our duty to side with him.
The chief
host and governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nsair El-Rufai, had earlier
said in his speech that Bala cared and spent his life fighting for the
common man.
El-Rufai said, “He cared about ordinary people and spent his life fighting for the common man.
