Skip to main content

I went off script to announce subsidy removal on inauguration day - Tinubu

Tinubu said Alake and Edun had removed subsidy removal from his inaugural speech.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he went off the script to announce the removal of fuel subsidy during his inaugural address to Nigerians on May 29, 2023.

The President disclosed this during a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in France on Friday, June 23, 2023.

Tinubu, who described fuel subsidy as a "scam" and disincentive to growth, insisted that the policy only rewarded smugglers and reduced the burden of the real cost of the commodity for some countries.

This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, later on Friday.

Addressing the Nigerian diaspora in France, the President revealed that his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun and Alake had expunged fuel subsidy removal from his inaugural speech, “but he felt it was expedient to stop the subsidy on the first day”.

“We have transport challenges, electricity challenges, infrastructural challenges and others. I let out the giant elephant of fuel subsidy without bringing down the house,’’ he said, adding, “Our diversity is our asset, if we know how to use it.’’

Tinubu shocked many Nigerians during his inaugural address shortly after he was sworn in on May 29 by declaring that "fuel subsidy is gone."

The presidential pronouncement led to an instant return of queues at filling stations across the country as fuel prices soared amid hoarding by marketers. The development provoked angry reactions from Nigerians leading to calls for protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

List of America's one-term presidents & why they were not re-elected

U.S. President Joe Biden becomes the most recent entrant in a list of president who served for only one term. U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he would not be seeking re-election for a second term in the November 5, 2024 elections. Biden, in a statement said that he would be focused on completing his remaining term, endorsing his Vice President Kamala Harris as his most preferred nominee for the Democratic Party to take on former President Donald Trump. Joe Biden endorses Kamala Harris as Democrats' candidate after withdrawing from race [X:@JoeBiden] Biden now joins a list of former U.S. Presidents that only served for one term. John Adams (1797-1801) The second president of the United States, John Adams was a Founding Father who faced significant challenges during his presidency, including conflicts with political adversaries and foreign nations. His support for the Alien and Sedition Acts, perceived as a violation of civil liberties, contributed to his unpopulari...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tinubu appoints MKO Abiola's son, Jamiu as SSA on Linguistics & Foreign Matters

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters. The appointee is one of the children of the late Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola , the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida . According to a statement by Segun Imohiosen , the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Jamiu's appointment took effect from November 14, 2024. Imohiosen said the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended. Until his recent deployment, the appointee served as the Special Assistant to the President of Special Duties in the office of the Vice President. Tinubu tasked Jamiu to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new ...
Post a Comment
Read more

EndSARS, Aba women riot & 3 historical protests that shook Nigeria

These protests underscore the resilience and activism of the Nigerian people in their pursuit of justice, equity, and better governance. Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu's administration, lawmakers and other government officials have appealed to Nigerian youths to shun the protest and seek dialogue for resolution. It is believed that the federal government has already stepped up advocacy and appeals to avoid what happened in Kenya a few weeks ago. The planned demonstration slated for Thursday, August 1, further stretches Nigeria's rich history of civil protests driven by various socio-political and economic issues. These protests have significantly influenced the country's trajectory. Here are five historical protests that have left an indelible mark on Nigeria: 1. Aba Women's Riot (1929) Aba Women's Riot (1929) The Aba Women's Riot, also known as the Women's War, was a major anti-colonial revolt by women in sou...
Post a Comment
Read more