Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 2023 elections, reaffirmed his support for the removal of fuel subsidies during a press encounter outside the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Journalists sought his comments on the subsidy removal, which the government representatives claimed he supported.
Obi stated that he had been advocating for the removal of subsidies since his time as a member of the Economic Management team under President Goodluck Jonathan. He described subsidies as organized crime, with people exploiting the country’s resources. He emphasized that his statistical analysis revealed that the claimed fuel consumption figures were inflated.
Drawing an analogy, Obi likened the removal of subsidies to a tooth extraction. He explained that just as a dentist applies a local anesthetic to numb the area around a painful tooth before removing it, the removal of subsidies should be approached with careful planning and mitigating policies. He highlighted that even during Jonathan’s government, various measures such as Sure-P were introduced to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal.
Obi emphasized the importance of governance that involves the people and demonstrates the savings that can be achieved through subsidy removal. He stressed the need to utilize those savings to improve the lives of the masses who are currently suffering. He expressed his commitment to governing transparently and using statistical and empirical evidence to show the positive impact of subsidy removal.
Addressing the challenges faced by the country, Obi criticized the pattern of government asking the masses to endure sacrifices for a better future, only to witness worsening conditions in the long run.
As the tribunal hearing for his petition continued, Obi made it clear that he would not comment on the ongoing case but was open to discussing other pertinent issues. He reiterated his long-standing stance on subsidy removal and his commitment to governing in the best interest of the people.
Peter Obi’s remarks highlight his support for subsidy removal and his intention to govern with a focus on improving the lives of Nigerians through prudent management of resources and transparent policies.
