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FUEL SUBSIDY: A TRAP SET FOR TINUBU BY NORTHERN LEADERS, AND HE FELL FOR IT – ALAKWE
A former West Africa Coordinator of the defunct National Support for Jonathan/Sambo Presidency, Mr Nwachukwu Tobinson Alakwe has said that the abrupt and unilateral removal of fuel subsidies marks the onset of an economic crisis in Nigeria.
He claimed that this decision was a deliberate ploy by Northern leaders to destabilize President Tinubu’s administration, as former President Buhari had strategically removed fuel subsidies from the 2023 budget that took effect in June, just after he left office on May 29.
Alakwe suggested that the Northern leaders were aware of the Dangote Refinery’s delayed operations, which would exacerbate the economic hardships faced by the country.
He criticized the lack of contingency plans and measures by President Tinubu, to mitigate the adverse effects of the subsidy removal, asserting that this failure has led to widespread problems.
He expressed doubt about the government’s ability to enact rapid and visible solutions, particularly in addressing the food crisis, unless the Dangote Refinery becomes operational in the near future.
He said, “The sudden and non-consultation before the removal of fuel subsidy is the beginning of Nigeria’s economic crisis.
“I told you that this was a trap that was set for Tinubu by Northern leaders and he fell into it. Yes, it is a plot by the North to destabilise this government that is the reason former President Buhari removed fuel subsidy from the 2023 budget that took effect from June, while he left office on May 29.
“They knew that Dangote Refinery will not start operation in August 2023 and that is the cause of economic hardship in the country.
“The past administrations had romanced with fuel subsidy removal, but didn’t remove it. President Tinubu at his inauguration removed fuel subsidy without provisions for measure to cushion its effects or any plan put in place to cushion the effects of subsidy, that is why these problems erupted.”As it stands now, it is very hard for the government to do a drastic transformation that will bring visible solutions especially in the area of food crisis, except Dangote Refinery begins operation soon.”
