Amaechi: Subsidy removal was reckless, meant to punish Nigerians

The vice presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the administration’s handling of the fuel subsidy removal, saying the policy was meant to punish Nigerians for not voting for him in 2023.

Speaking on Saturday during a town hall meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, Amaechi alleged that President Tinubu acted recklessly by removing the subsidy without preparing economic safety nets.

“The president knew that he would be sworn in on 29 May 2023, if I were him, I would have sat down with economists, with political scientists, and with some Nigerians and asked them what we should do.

“But what he did — he said he was advised not to remove the subsidy, but because he had courage, he removed the subsidy,” Amaechi stated.

The former Rivers State Governor faulted the president’s subsidy policy, lamenting the danger of abrupt policy actions, saying there is a thin line between policy and recklessness.

He further disclosed that the policy has made very many Nigerians poorer by the minute and a very significant number of people will fall into poverty in the coming days if the situation is not redressed.

He added that the policy implementation reflects the administration’s disregard for the populace while dismissing the reduction of fuel price as insignificant.

He also highlighted the immediate ripple effects of the subsidy removal on transport, logistics and everyday living costs, including the rail sector where daily trips have decreased to just once a day.

The ADC Vice Presidential candidate also expressed his readiness to debate the administration’s economic team on policy solutions and economic management.

Also speaking, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state, said the party is committed to making the country one that gives to its people rather than perpetually taxing and extracting from them.

Cross River State Chairman of the party, Asam Efa, expressed confidence in the capacity of its candidates to salvage the country.

The town hall attracted candidates of the party across all levels, civil society organisations, support groups and members of the public.