In the midst of mounting concerns over the removal of fuel subsidy and its impact on the Nigerian populace, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has demanded that the Bola Tinubu-led government be transparent and open about the decision and its resulting funds. Obi made his stance clear during the #PeterObiOnParallelFacts Twitter Space forum, organized by The Parallel Facts, on Saturday, July 29.
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, expressed his belief that the removal of fuel subsidy must be handled with utmost transparency. He emphasized the need to address the criminal component of the subsidy system to effectively tackle the country’s current challenges. If he were in power, Obi stated that he would reduce 50% of the subsidy payment and utilize the saved funds to improve critical sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure.
Obi’s call for transparency comes in the aftermath of Tinubu’s announcement on May 29, where he declared the removal of fuel subsidy, highlighting that his government would not provide funds to subsidize the product since it was not included in the 2023 budget by the previous administration.
However, the removal of fuel subsidy has led to severe hardships for Nigerians, as fuel and food prices have skyrocketed without any corresponding palliative measures to cushion the effects on the citizens.
In light of these challenges, Peter Obi urges the government to provide a detailed account of the funds generated from the subsidy removal and how they are being utilized to ensure transparency and accountability.
As the debate over fuel subsidy removal continues to spark nationwide discussions, the demand for transparency from political leaders remains crucial in restoring the public’s trust and addressing the hardships faced by the citizens.
