Former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a recent statement released through his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, addressed the petrol subsidy removal and commended the steps taken by the new administration to implement the policy and unify the naira exchange rate. Buhari’s statement came in response to critics who questioned the swift action taken by the current administration, led by Bola Tinubu, in removing the subsidy compared to Buhari’s tenure.
Shehu clarified that the decision to remove various subsidies, including electricity, fertilizers, Hajj/Christian pilgrims, diesel, aviation fuel, LPFO, kerosene, and cooking gas, were implemented during Buhari’s presidency.
He emphasized that these subsidies had a significant impact on the federal budget, and Buhari’s administration had successfully eliminated them.
Regarding the petrol subsidy removal, Shehu highlighted that it was not solely Buhari’s responsibility to make such decisions. He suggested that the party, APC, was better suited to address this matter. However, he acknowledged that the new Tinubu/Shettima administration had acted decisively and skillfully in managing the aftermath of the subsidy removal, preventing any crisis.
Shehu expressed hope that the nation would support the new leadership and work together to ensure the successful implementation of promised palliative efforts. He also explained that the timing of the subsidy removal and currency unification decisions was influenced by the political landscape, indicating that it would have been challenging to implement such measures during Buhari’s final days in office due to the upcoming election.
Shehu concluded the statement by stating that with the election now behind them, the new administration, led by a capable leader, was best positioned to guide the nation towards stability after these significant economic and financial decisions.