Subsidy return won’t help Nigeria; higher fuel prices made citizens more reasonable: Gov Otti
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says fuel subsidy removal is a good policy and that anybody praying for its return does not mean well for Nigeria.
“As the election approaches, people will be making all sorts of arguments. But removing the subsidy was the right thing to do, and I don’t think anybody who is praying for its return means well for the country,” Mr Otti said in an interview with Arise TV on Friday.
The Abia governor said he supports subsidy removal because it has made many Nigerians more reasonable in their spending and lifestyle, adding that the fuel subsidy had become a scam.
Explaining his support for fuel subsidy removal, Mr Otti said, “I have sufficient reasons, including the scam that it became. If you are being subsidised, you can just put 20 vehicles on the road, but by the time prices went up, people became reasonable.”
Mr Otti’s statement comes amid debate over fuel subsidy restoration sparked by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s campaign promise.
Mr Abubakar, who is the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, has vowed to restore petrol subsidy for locally produced fuel to ease the economic burden on citizens.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Education
UNIJOS appoints new vice-chancellor
Mr Madugu said that Ms Lar is the first female professor to head the institution.
Lagos
Afreximbank names nine winners in CANEX Create-thon competition
The competition offered $50,000 in prize money, with winners in each category receiving $7,000 for first place, $3,500 for second place and $1,500 for third place.
Opinion
Azu Ishiekwene: Amaechi’s campaign worse than diarrhoea
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has a gift for choosing running mates with dubious political value.
Education
TETFund to showcase 400 innovations at research fair
Mr Bindir said the exhibition would hold at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Trade Fair Complex, along Abuja Airport Road.
World
UN secretary-general advocates halving food waste by 2030
Mr Guterres urged governments to enforce strong regulations and create incentives to prevent, recover and responsibly manage waste.
Lagos
Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye partners NDLEA to combat drug abuse
Mr Jakande said the LCDA must become a drug-free council.
