Peter Obi Clarifies Stance on Fuel Subsidy Removal
By Wisdom Tide
14/09/2024
Peter Gregory Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, recently addressed his position on the controversial issue of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. His remarks were captured in a video shared by NEWS CENTRAL TV, where Obi elaborated on his strategy, making clear distinctions from the approach taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A Gradual Approach, Not Immediate Removal
In the viral video, Obi emphasized that while he had expressed his intention to remove the fuel subsidy, he had not committed to doing so immediately upon assuming office. Unlike President Tinubu, who announced the removal of the subsidy on his first day in office, Obi explained that his strategy would have been more measured and gradual.
"I said I will remove subsidy," Obi stated, "but I didn’t say from day one."
Addressing the Criminality First
Obi’s primary concern, as he explained, was not the subsidy itself but the criminal activities associated with it. He highlighted that over 50% of the subsidy, in his view, was tainted by corruption and illicit dealings. He emphasized that his first step would be to tackle this criminality before considering a full-scale removal of the subsidy.
"I said I will first remove the criminality associated with the subsidy because the criminality was over 50% of the subsidy," Obi explained.
A Transparent and Thoughtful Plan for Nigerians
After addressing the criminal elements, Obi proposed that his government would present a clear and transparent cost structure to Nigerians, enabling them to understand the true financial impact of the subsidy. His approach would have involved detailed communication and the provision of viable alternatives to mitigate the effects of the removal.
"After removing it, we would have been able to present a detailed cost to Nigerians," Obi stated. "We will now replace it with alternatives."
The Need for Shared Sacrifice
One of the most striking aspects of Obi’s remarks was his insistence on shared sacrifice. He criticized a system where ordinary citizens were asked to endure hardship while leaders continued to benefit from subsidies or other privileges. Obi made it clear that in his administration, everyone would bear the burden of reforms equally.
"People are ready to sacrifice," Obi said, "but you can’t ask people to fast while you are feasting. Everybody has to fast at the same time."
Conclusion
Peter Obi’s clarification offers insight into his leadership style and approach to complex issues like the fuel subsidy. His strategy emphasizes a step-by-step process, focused on transparency, fairness, and shared sacrifice, standing in stark contrast to the more immediate and abrupt actions taken by the current administration
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