Ordinary Nigerians don’t benefit from fuel subsidy – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said ordinary Nigerians do not benefits from petrol subsidy.
He called in question the sincerity of Federal Government’s decision to remove the subsidy stating that only God knows who are the beneficiaries of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.
Atiku stated this when he answered questions from newsmen at the end of his meeting with Northeast Business Community in Gombe, He said there is a mistake somewhere over the issue of subsidizing fuel by the Federal Government, but the subsidy paid doesn’t help the common man on the streets.
Speaking on the issue of fuel subsidy removal, he said, “I don’t tell lies when it comes to politics or government official work, this subsidy only God knows who are benefitting from it, but it has never benefited the common man, I think what we should do is to sit down with all stakeholders and look at the issue and how we will genuinely help the common man and all Nigerians and remove the subsidy.
On how the Nigerian government had handled the issue in the past, he said ”Let me give a brief History in Nigeria, when we were in government we intended to remove the subsidy, in first phases, I chaired the committee that started the action, we had done the first and the second removal of fuel subsidy, but we didn’t do the third and the fourth our tenure ended, when Late Umaru Yar’adua of blessed memory came, he didn’t continue with the programme of removing subsidy, so also Jonathan came after Umaru , he also didn’t continue with the programme, and Buhari even before he came during his campaign period he said he didn’t understand why are they removing subsidy, we thought when he came he will come with a good idea on how to address the problems of paying subsidy he didn’t, that’s what brought us to where we are today.
When asked what his view were on the way government is handling Boko Haram war, he said , “government negligence “
He commended the North East Business Communities for the confidence reposed on him that he will offer good leadership to Nigeria in 2023.
Atiku said it.was really historic and encouraging the pledge made by the business community to purchase the nomination form for him and to spend from kobo to 100 million on his effort to become Nigeria President in 2023, saying it didn’t happen anywhere.
He said he hope we will continue to work together until we rescue our country from the sad and ugly situation we are in.
Atiku sought for unity more support and prayers to succeed.
