Why Buhari Refuses To Remove Subsidy-Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President Mohammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has explained why the former President didn't remove the oil subsidy as being speculated by Nigerians.
Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President Mohammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has explained why the former President didn't remove the oil subsidy as being speculated by Nigerians.
The Former Spokesman and media aid to Buhari in a statement he signed said Buhari didn’t remove the petrol subsidy, but in vitally important stages, he removed every other budget-busting, egregious, economic-growth-crushing subsidy along the way.
According to him, removing subsidies could not have come at a time when tensions were high in the country adding that no responsible leader would have added fuel to the fire.
Shehu disclosed that because of the election which the APC was eager to win, that it would have been a politically dishonest way, if the Buhari administration, had in its last days, went ahead to remove the subsidy, because the APC had an election to win.
Shehu said only a new administration with goodwill that fills a warehouse could attempt taking the action, stating that it has been done in the wit and grit of the Tinubu government.
According to Shehu, it would have been the case with any political party that was seeking election for another term with a new principal at its head.
The former Aide added that Poll after polls showed that the party would have been thrown out of office if the decision to remove the subsidy as envisaged by the new Petroleum Industry Act was made.
He stated that with the election over, that a capable leader as it's the new situation now in place, the new administration is in best positioned to move forward.
According to him, what the administration needs now is nothing but confidence that would carry the nation and all its constituents into a stable future in the aftermath of these major economic and financial decisions.
"As they say, there are times when you have to lose in order to win." He said.
Shehu queried on why it took the new Tinubu, Shettima presidency weeks to remove the petrol subsidy when Buhari didn’t do so for years failed to ask the right question.
According to him, the massive electricity subsidy, the fraudulent fertilizer subsidy, Hajj/Christian Pilgrim subsidies, diesel subsidy, the aviation fuel subsidy, LPFO, Kerosene, Cooking gas and the other subsidy policies, the former administration found in place, and firmly corrected the anomalies are on the ground for people to see.
"For those with short memories, many of those subsides were all in place when president Buhari was elected to office in 2015: all those in place were gone by May 2023, including the annual fertilizer subsidy that weighed 60-100 billion Naira (that’s trillion naira in about 10 years, yes you read that right heavy on the federal budget each year.
"So no, Buhari didn’t remove the petrol subsidy, but in vitally important stages he removed every other budget-busting, egregious, economic-growth-crushing subsidy along the way.
"So far I have refrained from answering these repeated questions on the removal in Nigeria of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS and that arising from the dual rates of the Naira in the Central Bank and the parallel market: Why did Buhari “fail” to do these?." He said.
Shehu said it would be better for the All Progressives Congress, APC, instead of the former President to answer the questions, adding that the APC is in a better position speak, stressing that their failure to do so, would forced to say what would follow.
"First of all, my thinking is that instead of the former President answering this question, it is the Party, the All ProgressivesCongress, APC that is best suited to speak and failing to do this, we are forced to say what will follow here.
"Secondly, we are mindful of the fact that with a Tinubu/Shettima presidency now in place and for which there is a 'New Sheriff in Town.'
"We do not want to distract them from the onerous tasks facing them and the nation. Neither is it our wish to take the spotlight away from them in any way." He said.
On the timing of the fuel subsidy and unifying of the currency, Shehu said the Tinubu/Shettima administration had done overwhelmingly well adding that they have been most dexterous in managing the aftermath of the decisions by successfully avoiding any crisis.
"In terms of the timings of the decisions to remove fuel subsidy and unify the currency, the Tinubu Shettima administration has done overwhelmingly well. Even more importantly, they have been most dexterous in managing the aftermath of the decisions by successfully avoiding any crisis.
"To this extent, our wish and prayers are that fellow countrymen will continue to support the new leadership in these very laudable decisions and, in particular, for the Labour leadership and civil society to work with them to ensure that the palliative efforts as promised are successfully implemented.
"The decision to remove subsidies, as in our case - and we believe in all situations - was not for the President to take all by himself.
"That’s why it’s important to remind ourselves and all those who have conveniently forgotten that Buhari administration had been on this pathway from the very beginning in 2015.
"Removing subsidies for the Naira and PMS was cued and put on hold. Look for example in the Petroleum Industry Act. The important decision was kept for a better time.
"It could not have come at a time when tensions were high in the country and no responsible leader would have added fuel to the fire.
"In the view of many-including those in the security circles, only a new administration with a goodwill that fills a warehouse can attempt this, and here now comes in the wit and grit of the Tinubu government." He added.
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