- Says Tinubu Needs To Come Out Clean on Alleged N5.4tr Earmarked For Fuel Subsidy
By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again voiced its disapproval of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies, accusing the government of misleading the Nigerian populace and implementing policies that continue to drive citizens below the poverty line.
The opposition party asserted that a leaked fiscal policy document which suggested the government’s reported plan to allocate N5.4 trillion for fuel subsidy, has clearly indicated that the administration of Tinubu operates with lack of transparency and accountability.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said this in a statement in Abuja.
Ologunagba said: “This revelation by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, shows the callousness of the APC administration, which is forcing Nigerians to buy fuel at the very exorbitant price of over N800 per litre in various parts of the country while trillions of naira are allegedly being paid as fuel subsidy into private bank accounts associated with corrupt APC leaders.
“Nigerians can recall how APC leaders, in their characteristic manner, tried to divert public attention when the PDP earlier alerted of this fraudulent act in a statement on May 28, 2024.
“This revelation by Wale Edun after a series of denials by APC leaders and government officials validates the axiom that no matter how long lies appear to thrive the truth, like the sun, will always prevail.
“Is it not provocative and an act of extreme insensitivity that while our nation is suffering from grave infrastructural decay and millions of Nigerians subjected to punishing hardship, acute poverty, life of misery and utter despondency by the removal of subsidy without cushioning measures, a staggering N5.4 trillion, in the name of fuel subsidy, is reportedly being cornered by corrupt APC leaders?
“The deceit which is prevalent in the APC government is responsible for plunging Nigerians deeper into destitution with no hope in sight under the current administration.
“Nigerians deserve to know; Where is the N5.4 trillion being taken from? Which agency of government is responsible for the payment of the said fuel subsidy, and to whom? What are the criteria used for payment?
“What volume of fuel is being subsidized and at what cost? Why is petrol still selling exorbitantly even with the revelation of the continuing payment of fuel subsidy? These are questions that need to be answered.”
The PDP further demanded that Tinubu should immediately clear the air and come clean by personally addressing Nigerians and ordering a public inquiry into the reported N5.4 trillion fuel subsidy under his watch.
The party also asked the president to immediately review his economic team to checkmate the corruption prevalent in the administration.
He continued: “Mr. President must also review the economic policies of the administration that is strangulating the people. Recognising, accepting, and reviewing a flawed economic policy is not weakness but courage. That is what defines a leader at a time like this.
“President Tinubu should listen to the heartbeat of Nigerians. There is hunger and destitution in the land. The reaction of a hungry people is better imagined! Mr. President, please act now.”
It would be recalled that the leaked document had been generating criticism since it went viral on Wednesday.
According to the draft, the ASAP Plan is aimed at fast-tracking economic recovery, assisting as many Nigerians as possible, and further mitigating the impact of the ongoing economic reforms of this administration.
The plan which is said to be in consideration for implementation within one to six months aims to tackle inflation and further increase the purchasing power of the populace, it stated.
However, a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday clarified that the leaked document is unofficial and does not reflect the government’s intentions.
Onanuga in the statement said though President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received the 65-page draft document with the title “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), however, the report is still subject to review and cannot therefore be regarded as an official government document.
