Former spokesman to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has disclosed that his past principal didn’t remove fuel subsidy because he was a friend of the poor.
Adesina disclosed that Buhari was concerned about the implications of fuel subsidy removal on the “ordinary” Nigerians.
The former presidential spokesman made this known in a tribute to celebrate Buhari’s 82nd birthday.
The tribute reads partly: “But who ensured that subsidies remained as long as it did? Buhari. And why? The people, the ordinary people. His argument was always simple:
“When oil sold for at least 100 dollars per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as 140 dollars per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”
“Ordinary people gravitate towards Buhari, like bees to the honeycomb. That was why he always had a basket of millions of waiting votes, even before the first ballot was cast.
“As he turns 82 on December 17, 2024, I salute the Ore Mekunu, a friend of the poor, who still draws the people like a magnet, even in retirement.”
Buhari handed over to President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
In August 2022, the Buhari administration said the federal government would halt the costly petrol subsidy in June 2023.
However, during his inauguration, Tinubu removed the subsidy on petroleum products.
Explaining why he removed the subsidy on fuel, the president said the step would ensure transparency in the energy sector.
The president, however, admitted that the decision was challenging.
He had said: “By removing the subsidy, we are creating a more transparent and accountable energy sector. The funds that were previously allocated to subsidising petroleum products are now redirected towards developing and upgrading our energy and other social infrastructure.”
‘Friend of the Poor’ – Femi Adesina reveals why Buhari did not remove fuel subsidy