Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has clarified President Bola Tinubu’s comments on fuel subsidy removal, saying it was just a joke.
Speaking on Channels TV, Dogara explained that Tinubu did not actually remove the subsidy, as there was no provision for it in the national budget approved by the National Assembly before he took office.
Dogara emphasized that Tinubu’s statement, “subsidy is gone,” was not followed by any policy action.
“In this case, there was no provision for it, and anybody who told you he (Tinubu) suspended it was just joking because how did he suspend payment that was not budgeted for in the first instance?” Dogara explained.
He clarified that although Nigerians are feeling the effects of the subsidy removal, it was necessary for the country’s growth. He added that real progress requires sacrifices and urged Nigerians to focus on finding solutions instead of just discussing problems.
Dogara further pointed out that the fuel subsidy had already been removed before Tinubu’s election, and since there was no budget provision for it, Tinubu couldn’t have suspended the payment.
Tinubu had first mentioned the removal of the fuel subsidy during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, highlighting that there was no allocation for it in the national budget from June 2023.
