Prof. Itse Sagay, a former advisor to President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s abrupt withdrawal of the subsidy caused immense suffering in Nigeria.
Sagay stated during an appearance on a Channels Television programme on Friday, February 9, that Tinubu ought to have held off on eliminating the fuel subsidy for six months following his inauguration.
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) said; “Petrol is critical to our lives. The cost of living is going up, and basic living is now expensive. I think we might have gone on for another six months and as internal production was coming up, then the subsidy can be removed.
“The immediacy and the sudden manner of the decision to remove petrol subsidy has created an immediate level of hardship which is almost becoming unbearable.”
“I am not in full agreement with the way and order some of the things are being done now. On the issue of petrol, I would have been happier if the government had been patient to allow internal production to commence before removing the subsidy.
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“Now, Dangote is now producing. And of course, the refinery in Port Harcourt is almost ready. Perhaps, if we had waited a little longer, the transition would not have been harsh. We are in it already but I think we are in competent hands and we will get out of it.
“We’ve been on this subsidy for decades and a few more months would not have killed us. You can see the difference in lifestyle now.”
On deterioration of the value of the naira, Sagay said; “I never dreamt that there would be a time when the dollar would change for over N1,000 to a dollar. It has to stop, otherwise, it will destroy everything that the government is trying to do.”
Nonetheless, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria voiced faith in the incoming administration’s capacity to offer the Nigerian people competent leadership.
He said; “They are people who know what they are doing. I have faith in them and I believe that as time goes on, the pressure on Nigerians will ease, hardship will decrease and we will be in a much better position than we are in now.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
