National leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the powers controlling petroleum products subsidies in the country as demons that must be stopped immediately by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Asiwaju also described the subsidy as “many demons” that must end in the interest of the masses.
Tinubu gave his view in a key note address in Kaduna on the 10th memorial anniversary of late Yusufu Bala Usman, former lecturer with Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, tittled “towards the economic liberation of Nigeria: Bala Usman’s enduring relevance”.
Tinubu, who was very frank about the removal of fuel subsidy, said if Bala Usman were to be alive, he would have equally called for immediate removal of the subsidy, adding, “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 with it. However, I have reached the conclusion that there are too many demons in the system for that hell to be turned into heaven.
“It is better that we remove it, not for the austere purpose of saving money but to use the money more wisely that we might better serve the people. Let us begin a process of a thoughtful, but decisive subsidy phase-out.
“While this is occurring, we should simultaneously phase in social programmes benefiting the poorest, 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.
“This is way we can undertake this massive expenditure confident that the fruits will go to the hungry, not the already too well fed.
“End the fuel subsidy. Subsidise the people instead – Subsidise the people instead!,” he said
