Cornelius Ojelabi, the All Progressives Congress chairman in Lagos, says President Bola Tinubu will not restore petrol subsidy, describing it as a drain on public finances.

Mr Ojelabi said the subsidy largely benefited wealthy Nigerians, rather than ordinary citizens, while defending its removal as necessary for development.

He spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of projects and empowerment initiatives marking the first anniversary of Ajeromi-Ifelodun council chairman, Olalekan Olu-Akindipe.

The chairman said increased federal allocations following subsidy removal had enabled Lagos councils to execute projects and empowerment programmes.

“We are using it to touch the life of our people, improve educational facilities and provide infrastructural development. You can see the empowerment programme; that is the way to reduce poverty and lift the people from poverty,” he said.

Mr Ojelabi’s comments followed renewed calls by the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to restore targeted fuel subsidy if elected.

Mr Abubaka said targeted subsidy would help reduce hardship and restore Nigerians’ purchasing power.

Mr Ojelabi said Lagos councils were using additional allocations to improve infrastructure, education and residents’ welfare across their communities.

“You can see what the state government and local governments are using the removal of fuel subsidy to do,” he said.

Assessing Mr Olu-Akindipe’s first year, Mr Ojelabi said the chairman had demonstrated that the APC made the right choice by giving him its ticket.

“After one year, as the party that produced you, we are proud that we didn’t make a wrong choice,” he said.

Mr Ojelabi said the council administration had connected communities, improved education and strengthened access to healthcare for residents. He urged residents to expect more development, saying Mr Olu-Akindipe had completed only 365 days in office and still had more to offer.

The APC chairman said Mr Tinubu remained committed to improving Nigerians’ welfare, although challenges remained, particularly regarding national security.

“Security-wise, Nigeria isn’t there yet, but Nigerians can see some improvements in economic and infrastructural development,” he said.

Former defence minister Musiliu Obanikoro urged Nigerians to give Mr Tinubu another opportunity to transform the country.

Mr Obanikoro praised the administration’s infrastructure projects, citing the Lagos-Calabar highway and Lagos-Sokoto road as examples of transformative investments.

“Go to Victoria Island to see the Lagos-Calabar Highway; you will be amazed,” Obanikoro said.

He described the projects as capable of transforming Nigeria, while commending Olu-Akindipe for distributing equipment and financial assistance to beneficiaries.

Projects inaugurated included Maracana Footbridge, Ajasa Motorable Bridge, Mokoya Motorable Bridge and roads in Oluwa and Uweriro streets. Others included Oluwa Nursery and Primary School and three solar-powered boreholes across Wards B, H and I.

The council also distributed 50 deep freezers, 50 industrial machines, 50 stone-cutting machines and 25 welding machines to beneficiaries. Other items included 25 shoemaking machines, 100 cake mixers, 25 vulcanising machines and 100 make-up kits with accessories.

Beneficiaries also received 50 solar generators, chairs, canopies, 3,000 10kg bags of rice and N10,000 each for widows and elderly residents.

(NAN)