₦airaland Forum

For almost two and half decades Nigerians have been asked to endure.

Government told us that subsidies on petrol, kerosene and diesel were the problem. They increased the price of petrol. They removed diesel subsidy in 2003. They removed kerosene subsidy in 2016. They removed petrol subsidy in 2023. Each time the promise was the same. Remove subsidy, save money and build a better Nigeria.

So the question must be asked today. Are Nigerians living a better life?

Under Olusegun Obasanjo the purported reform began. The International Monetary Fund put subsidy at 209 billion naira in 2001, N117 billion in 2002, N123 billion in 2003, with a promise that it would disappear in 2004. It did not disappear. It grew into trillions. PPPRA, a government agency, records show 8.94 trillion naira spent between 2006 and 2015. In 2011 alone, 2.1 trillion naira in one year.

The country was told the payments were full of fraud. The country was told products were diverted. If that is true, where is the accounting for that fraud. Who took it. How much was recovered. Who was held responsible.

Then came the consumption puzzle every Nigerian should ask about. For years Nigerians were told consumption was forty to forty five million litres daily. Yet official data showed 66.9 million litres per day just before removal. After removal it dramatically fell to 47.5 million and then 41.6 million. What happened to those over 20 millions of litres. They did not evaporate.

Now Nigerians are told that removal has saved 15.8 trillion naira between June 2023 and December 2025. N5.43 trillion to the Federal Government, N10.4 trillion to states and local governments. With total extra resources of N20.4 trillion and extra spending of N30.64 trillion.

I have read those figures. And I know what Nigerians are thinking. If N6.47 trillion went into infrastructure, where is it. If N3.14 trillion went into power, why are Nigerians still in darkness. If N9.39 trillion went into wages and N9.37 trillion into debt service, why does life feel harder.

N30.64 trillion must have a location. It must have a face. It must have a road that can be driven on, a hospital that can be entered, a school where a child can learn.

And this is bigger than petrol. It is about the economic philosophy that has guided Nigeria for six decades. A philosophy that believes development must begin by making life harder for the common man. A philosophy that celebrates the size of budgets and loans and purported savings, not the value in peoples lives. Trillions announced for electricity, for railways, for roads, for the Niger Delta, for defence, for education, for health, for palliatives. Yet the people remain poor.

This philosophy found its clearest expression in 1986 under General Ibrahim Babangida. Nigerians were told to endure Structural Adjustment Program for temporary pain and permanent gain. Almost forty years after, the pain has remained permanent and the gain is still being promised. Subsidy removal is only its latest chapter.

That is the pattern Citizens Democratic Alliance will end.

This is why our approach in Citizens Democratic Alliance will be different. We will not accept that the only choice is to remove subsidy and punish the people for the failures of government. We will not treat the wealth under your soil as a burden to be discarded.

We will unravel this mystery surrounding subsidy and ensure that Nigerians enjoy the benefit of their own resources. We will open the books, audit every litre, trace every naira and make public what has been kept private for years.

And we will cut the cost of government itself. We will introduce a parliamentary system that is leaner, more accountable and less wasteful. A system that reduces the enormous burden of maintaining an oversized political class and ends duplication that drains the treasury. It is a system that enthrones accountable leadership, where power is shared and questioned every day in parliament, so no single office can hide figures or manipulate savings behind closed doors.

And every kobo saved will not disappear into another surplus that no one can explain. We will ring fence those savings and invest them directly in what gives life dignity. Universal primary healthcare, quality public education, electricity that works, mass transportation, clean water, decent and affordable housing, agriculture, local manufacturing, wealth creation, innovation and technology, and deliberate support to make food and basic necessities affordable.

We do not believe Nigerians should have to struggle to afford life in a country so blessed. We believe the wealth that comes from your soil should make life affordable for you.

For almost forty years Nigerians have been told to sacrifice today for tomorrow.

Nigerians have sacrificed. It is time for a government that honours that sacrifice.

So the only question that matters now remains.

What happened to yesterdays sacrifice?

That is the fuel subsidy question.

Tamunotonye S S Inioribo
Founder & National Chairman
Citizens Democratic Alliance

Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

There are some things I actually don't understand about the opposition. Are they expecting over 4 decades rots in Nigeria to be cleared within 3 years? Are they sincerely expecting that?

Because we can all see what this government has been doing with the resources they have.

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

This is how you people lied Buhari was doing projects across the country and when he left nobody can find the projects , again. You are lying Tinubu is doing project and if I ask you will show me the 30km coastal fraud he awarded his crony

FarahAideed:
This is how you people lied Buhari was doing projects across the country and when he left nobody can find the projects , again. You are lying Tinubu is doing project and if I ask you will show me the 30km coastal fraud he awarded his crony

If you had a shame, then you won't be quoting me .

You see that Coastal road you are calling a fraud, if you ply on that road, then be expecting something bad to happen. It's not a curse but karma

Sebi Abuja is in Indonesia. All the renovated airports are in China

The stock exchange booming didn't happen in Nigeria

The Nelfund, 100‰ free vocational training with stipends was done by Buhari

The ongoing projects across the country was initiated and approved by GEJ.

Embrace some shame guy

Atiku Abubakar is unambiguous in his policy direction. He will bring back subsidy and heaven will not fall! And if it falls, it falls!

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

Sadly, we have enablers of the systemic rot!

Now you said Governors can testify to how rich they have been since the purported subsidy on petrol was removed, you are right. They became so wealthy, just like the President. While citizens continue to lavish in penury. Is the government meant to serve the elites and politicians, or the entire population?

As for the socalled project, can you provide a list of those projects (ongoing and completed) and the costs? Lets see whether it matches the N20trn FG claimed to have benefitted as their own share from the subsidy removal.

The issue is not the removal of fuel subsidy per se... it is a combination of issues... I will highlight just three...

First off, the reasons why fuel subsidy became supposedly unsustainable in the first place have remained... corruption, greed, incompetence, inefficient systems, multiple taxes, extortion, government manipulation/mismanagement, smuggling etc... they still exist, it is just that there is less noise about it. Those who made it seem subsidy was bad, are still the the ones running the show and making even more money.

Second, floating the naira so quickly after subsidy removal and without proper planning or calculation of the possible negative consequences was disastrous. The masses were still trying to adjust to the sharp rise in pms when the naira was floated. Again, failure to address the inefficiencies in the exchange rate is a problem. The game has changed, but the players remain the same.

Third, there is a gap between policy implementation and expected outcomes for the masses. The mistake bat keeps making is that he thinks removal of pms subsidy is an end in itself... it is not. It is simply a means to an end, and if the end result is not being achieved after 3 long years, then maybe the process needs to be reviewed. Policies must take cognisance of the peculiarities of the socio-economic conditions of the country. You cannot expect Nigerians to pay international rates for pms when the government itself does not pay its workers commensurate international wages.

There must be a balance... and if the government feels so strongly that the citizens must endure hardship today for a better tomorrow, then the political office holders must carry a huge portion of that suffering and inconvenience. Cut political office holders transportation and feeding cost by at least 85% to start with.

Convoys? Not more than 3 cars for governors. Ministers and others just 1 car. President? Reduce the convoy by 60%. Son and wife of the president? A two car convoy...

When the political office holders feel the pinch of the reforms, that is when citizens can bare with them.

My 2 cents...

TonyeBarcanista:
Sadly, we have enablers of the systemic rot!

Now you said Governors can testify to how rich they have been since the purported subsidy on petrol was removed, you are right. They became so wealthy, just like the President. While citizens continue to lavish in penury. Is the government meant to serve the elites and politicians, or the entire population?

Have you questioned the rich governors who are more closer to us before questioning the FG

The penury the citizens have been going through, who should have been more responsible between the FG, the governors and the lawmakers?

Tinubu Knocks Atiku Over Plan to Restore Petrol Subsidy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMDY0LXXosI quote author=TonyeBarcanista post=140448224]


Tamunotonye S S Inioribo
Founder & National Chairman
Citizens Democratic Alliance[/quote]

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

you armongst the percentage fooled by the present FG that subsidy was removed congrats

erico2k2:
you armongst the percentage fooled by the present FG that subsidy was removed congrats

I knew nothing about your life's predicaments, don't put the unnecessary frustration on me.

Thank you

TonyeBarcanista:
Tamunotonye S S Inioribo
Founder & National Chairman
Citizens Democratic Alliance

Again, this hubris anout the subsidy has resumed.

This is a paid poster, obviously an Atiku loyalist.

He does not even sound convincing. Looks like something he was coerced to do.

1.Fuel subsidy was removed, yet we are still borrowing.
2. It's true that the removal has increased the amount allocation to both states and LGAs. Unfortunately, many of them are doing nothing with the money.
3. EFCC should be restructured for effectiveness and efficiency. Their current mode of operation seems to have lost its impact. It's no longer the EFCC we knew during time of Ribadu. The current one is more interested in yahoo yahoo boys. The FG in attempt to win next election has turned a blind eye to some of the activities of the state government. My governor recently bought brand new landcruiser and distributed to party executive for what reason? Meanwhile, the schools in his local government are in ruins.

Atiku should tell us, how much are we going to be buying fuel in naira and kobo if he is serious. We don't want ambiguous promises again. If you reduced fuel price from 1100 t0 1050, you can also call it subsidy. Is he going to take us back to 200 per litter.

Nothing good can come out of a criminal. This administration scammed Nigerians.
If this apc online ekukes like make them hug transformer, thats the simple truth

They are still borrowing money, if you ask them , they will say to do project, so what about the subsidy money?
The economy they say that is growing fast is still hasn't catch up to the state it was before they took over power.
it is just like dropping from 500 level to 100level and claim to be doing well in class when your mates are already graduating.
Do you know that one Zimbabwe currency is equal to N50.45? no wonder nobody is insulting zimbabwe economy again.
Nigeria currency is the most useless currency in the whole world

Atiku, what date do you want to remove subsidy? No dey bobo your followers like small pikin.
You already started excuses, wetin be "You do not remove scaffolding because the calendar says so. You remove it when the building can stand securely on its own.”
Is that the kind of parables you want to be telling when you grab and snatch it?

helinues:
I knew nothing about your life's predicaments, don't put the unnecessary frustration on me.

Thank you

Predicament, me wey dey live for Charlie country ,U see your life nah there are loads like you who education went fru not fru Education rather educated illiterates who are making these politicians thrive and you likes give them acolades.

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

so it's now about how rich the governor's have been and not about the welfare of the common citizen? You're defending rubbish!

1vandragon:
The issue is not the removal of fuel subsidy per se... it is a combination of issues... I will highlight just three...

First off, the reasons why fuel subsidy became supposedly unsustainable in the first place have remained... corruption, greed, incompetence, inefficient systems, multiple taxes, extortion, government manipulation/mismanagement, smuggling etc... they still exist, it is just that there is less noise about it. Those who made it seem subsidy was bad, are still the the ones running the show and making even more money.

Second, floating the naira so quickly after subsidy removal and without proper planning or calculation of the possible negative consequences was disastrous. The masses were still trying to adjust to the sharp rise in pms when the naira was floated. Again, failure to address the inefficiencies in the exchange rate is a problem. The game has changed, but the players remain the same.

Third, there is a gap between policy implementation and expected outcomes for the masses. The mistake bat keeps making is that he thinks removal of pms subsidy is an end in itself... it is not. It is simply a means to an end, and if the end result is not being achieved after 3 long years, then maybe the process needs to be reviewed. Policies must take cognisance of the peculiarities of the socio-economic conditions of the country. You cannot expect Nigerians to pay international rates for pms when the government itself does not pay its workers commensurate international wages.

There must be a balance... and if the government feels so strongly that the citizens must endure hardship today for a better tomorrow, then the political office holders must carry a huge portion of that suffering and inconvenience. Cut political office holders transportation and feeding cost by at least 85% to start with.

Convoys? Not more than 3 cars for governors. Ministers and others just 1 car. President? Reduce the convoy by 60%. Son and wife of the president? A two car convoy...

When the political office holders feel the pinch of the reforms, that is when citizens can bare with them.

Floating the naira so quickly after subsidy removal and without proper planning or calculation of the possible negative consequences was disastrous.

Fuel should not be subsidised. Naira should be subsidised 💯.
Issue of fuel smuggling will rise.

1vandragon:
The issue is not the removal of fuel subsidy per se... it is a combination of issues... I will highlight just three...

First off, the reasons why fuel subsidy became supposedly unsustainable in the first place have remained... corruption, greed, incompetence, inefficient systems, multiple taxes, extortion, government manipulation/mismanagement, smuggling etc... they still exist, it is just that there is less noise about it. Those who made it seem subsidy was bad, are still the the ones running the show and making even more money.

A solid point! The question is, how come nothing improved after subsidy was removed on Kerosene (2016) and Diesel (2003)? What happened to the money from subsidy removal they promised to use to fund critical infrastructure and boost our economy? Why do things become worse each time they remove, partially remove or implement subsidies? You see a pattern of dishonesty and fraud that needs to be unraveled.

Second, floating the naira so quickly after subsidy removal and without proper planning or calculation of the possible negative consequences was disastrous. The masses were still trying to adjust to the sharp rise in pms when the naira was floated. Again, failure to address the inefficiencies in the exchange rate is a problem. The game has changed, but the players remain the same.

Third, there is a gap between policy implementation and expected outcomes for the masses. The mistake bat keeps making is that he thinks removal of pms subsidy is an end in itself... it is not. It is simply a means to an end, and if the end result is not being achieved after 3 long years, then maybe the process needs to be reviewed. Policies must take cognisance of the peculiarities of the socio-economic conditions of the country. You cannot expect Nigerians to pay international rates for pms when the government itself does not pay its workers commensurate international wages.

The main takeaway is that BAT isnt different from his predecessors. Policies, to them, are to sustain wealth of their elite friends and partners. This is the reason they do not have impact on the lives of people.

Nigeria’s old subsidy system was deeply riddled with corruption, middlemen and importers drained public funds. But the situation has changed. With a major local refinery like Dangote, government can design a simpler, transparent system that Nigerians can actually benefit from.

Government can negotiate directly on the price and quantity of petrol supplied, with clear records and accountability. Payment could even be structured partly through crude oil supplied at an agreed value.

The argument was that removing subsidy would free money for roads, healthcare, education, electricity and development. Yet ordinary Nigerians are still facing crushing transport costs, expensive food and a rising cost of living.

So why reject subsidy completely?

The issue was never subsidy itself, it was who benefited from it.

If government can subsidise industries, agriculture and other sectors, it can also support ordinary Nigerians by keeping petrol affordable, especially now that we refine petrol locally.

Don’t bring back the old corrupt subsidy regime. Bring back a transparent, accountable subsidy that benefits Nigerians directly, not middlemen.

1bunne4lif:
so it's now about how rich the governor's have been and not about the welfare of the common citizen? You're defending rubbish!

FG is you people's problem not the governors that are more close

See rubbish talk with confident

Why are you talking like this? Where are the projects? What are the governors doing with money? Federal government shoud account for the moneys

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

aliscomonaj:
Why are you talking like this? Where are the projects? What are the governors doing with money? Federal government shoud account for the moneys

Go and get recommended glasses to cure your blurry vision.

Na brotherly advise oo

1vandragon:
The issue is not the removal of fuel subsidy per se... it is a combination of issues... I will highlight just three...

First off, the reasons why fuel subsidy became supposedly unsustainable in the first place have remained... corruption, greed, incompetence, inefficient systems, multiple taxes, extortion, government manipulation/mismanagement, smuggling etc... they still exist, it is just that there is less noise about it. Those who made it seem subsidy was bad, are still the the ones running the show and making even more money.

Second, floating the naira so quickly after subsidy removal and without proper planning or calculation of the possible negative consequences was disastrous. The masses were still trying to adjust to the sharp rise in pms when the naira was floated. Again, failure to address the inefficiencies in the exchange rate is a problem. The game has changed, but the players remain the same.

Third, there is a gap between policy implementation and expected outcomes for the masses. The mistake bat keeps making is that he thinks removal of pms subsidy is an end in itself... it is not. It is simply a means to an end, and if the end result is not being achieved after 3 long years, then maybe the process needs to be reviewed. Policies must take cognisance of the peculiarities of the socio-economic conditions of the country. You cannot expect Nigerians to pay international rates for pms when the government itself does not pay its workers commensurate international wages.

There must be a balance... and if the government feels so strongly that the citizens must endure hardship today for a better tomorrow, then the political office holders must carry a huge portion of that suffering and inconvenience. Cut political office holders transportation and feeding cost by at least 85% to start with.

Convoys? Not more than 3 cars for governors. Ministers and others just 1 car. President? Reduce the convoy by 60%. Son and wife of the president? A two car convoy...

When the political office holders feel the pinch of the reforms, that is when citizens can bare with them.

My 2 cents...

He removed subsidies and somehow he expected that there won't be cost pull inflation?

Now nigerians have been paying the price for his miscalculation since 2015

I suspect the man is not in charge he is been controlled under duress

It is only a pure Satan that will do what he did

grandstar:
Again, this hibris anout the subsidy has resumed.

Unfortunately, it will continue to be a topical issue under we phase out these political actors

Wether Atiku likes it or not as a Fulani man that he is. We cannot elect a Fulani man to rule Nigeria it will serve as a reward for the killings. Nigeria is not a birthright of the Fulanis.

For years they have been governing this country. They brought all the problems we are facing today

This is the dumbest comment so far. I know more dumb comments are coming but right now, you rank top. Has there ever been any administration that has never build roads or structure since 1960?

I wonder wonder why building roads are seen as the only metrics to justify government progress. We are a 3rd world country and our basic needs are still Food, Cloth and Shelter in 2026. Is that not enough metrics to judge poor governance.

They claimed they removed subsidy of petrol but the still spend 10x the amount the last administration spent in 8 years for God knows what.

The only people enjoying the removal of subsidy are the elite class in the society. And still the enjoy subsidy on other things like CBN loan interest rate, import rates, and so on. They only thing the poor masses are suppose to enjoy, you removed subsidy on it and you make their lives even harder than you met them.

NB: Don't be offended by my comment of your dumbness, it's as a result of early morning transport hike due to agbero increasing tax on commercial transportation.

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

Has there ever been any administration that has never built roads or structure since 1960?

I wonder wonder why building roads are seen as the only metrics to justify government progress. We are a 3rd world country and our basic needs are still Food, Cloth and Shelter in 2026. Is that not enough metrics to judge poor governance.

They claimed they removed subsidy of petrol but the still spend 10x the amount the last administration spent in 8 years for God knows what.

The only people enjoying the removal of subsidy are the elite class in the society. And still the enjoy subsidy on other things like CBN loan interest rate, import rates, and so on. They only thing the poor masses are suppose to enjoy, you removed subsidy on it and you make their lives even harder than you met them.

NB: Early morning bus transportation hike due to agbero increasing tax on commercial drivers.

helinues:
Except if you are expecting the government to be dropping daily food on the masses table.

Apart from money saved from fuel subsidy, the governors can testify to how rich they have been since fuel subsidy payment was stopped.

How about the ongoing projects across the country, where did FG get money from?

Has there ever been any administration that has never built roads or structure since 1960?

I wonder wonder why building roads are seen as the only metrics to justify government progress. We are a 3rd world country and our basic needs are still Food, Cloth and Shelter in 2026. Is that not enough metrics to judge poor governance.

They claimed they removed subsidy of petrol but the still spend 10x the amount the last administration spent in 8 years for God knows what.

The only people enjoying the removal of subsidy are the elite class in the society. And still the enjoy subsidy on other things like CBN loan interest rate, import rates, and so on. They only thing the poor masses are suppose to enjoy, you removed subsidy on it and you make their lives even harder than you met them.

NB: Early morning bus transportation hike due to agbero increasing tax on commercial drivers.

TonyeBarcanista:
Tamunotonye S S Inioribo
Founder & National Chairman
Citizens Democratic Alliance