From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, Muhammadu Yahaya, has stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari had a better chance of successfully removing fuel subsidies compared to the present administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to the governor, various factors, such as public and grassroots support, as well as the backing of key stakeholders, play crucial roles in implementing such policies effectively. “Buhari had the public support,” Governor Yahaya stated while addressing members of civil society organisations (CSOs), organised labour, and the Amalgamated Unions of Traders in Gombe State.
He explained that the current challenges and hardships being experienced in the country are the product of failed policies and actions of the past. He added that the removal of the fuel subsidy, which everyone is talking about, was a decision initiated by former President Buhari and announced by Tinubu because it was excluded from the 2023 budget. He emphasised that President Tinubu had no choice but to announce the subsidy removal, as the National Assembly was not inaugurated at the time of his swearing-in.
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“Let me tell you, the subsidy is still being paid, except that it is being paid in a way we are not used to,” the governor said at the meeting, which was held on Tuesday in Gombe as part of the state government’s effort to engage stakeholders and avert the impending nationwide mass protest.
He called on the stakeholders to collaborate and explore alternatives to protests, which he believes inevitably lead to violence and destruction.
Meanwhile, the group of CSOs submitted a list of 12 issues to the state and federal governments to ease the hardship being experienced by Nigerians. Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Malam Ibrahim Yusuf revealed that the demands, which encompass a wide range of issues, highlighting the need for urgent attention and action, were gathered from a citizen engagement exercise conducted by the group across the state.
According to him, among the demands are calls for the reversal of the fuel subsidy and the hike in electricity tariffs, as well as the need for the government to checkmate market monopoly and encourage open, free market competition. The CSOs also called for the urgent distribution of palliatives provided by the federal government to vulnerable citizens who are suffering from hunger.
“The people also want the government to ensure even and equal distribution of federal government support programmes, such as palliatives, NG-Cares, SMEDAN, etc., to deserving citizens, not just ruling party members and cronies,” Yusuf stated.