Subsidy Removal: Tinubu Lying, Running Clannish Government — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of deceiving Nigerians on the removal of the fuel subsidy.

According to Atiku's Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the Federal Government is still subsidising fuel, notwithstanding Tinubu's claim in his inaugural speech that the subsidy had been eliminated.

He stated that with oil now selling for $94 per barrel and the naira trading at around N1,000/$1, it is apparent that the Federal Government is paying some money to keep petrol prices in the country at N620 per litre.

“Nigerians should not be deceived. Tinubu’s claim that there is no subsidy is a lie from the pit of hell, and the fact that they are even hiding the information means there is no transparency, and the money is probably being stolen again,” the former vice president stated.

Atiku also accused Tinubu of operating a clannish government, while promising Nigerians in his inaugural address to "serve with prejudice towards none."

He claimed Tinubu is "running a government of the clannish, by the clannish, and for the clannish," noting that all key appointments he made in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), customs, army, police, and immigration went to his region of the country, even though "he himself is the petroleum and gas minister."

"Tinubu named ten ministers from the South West and only five from the South East. If this isn't prejudice, I'm not sure what is," he stated.  

Atiku said he was correct when he warned that the $3 billion loan claimed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) from Afrexim to stabilise the naira was a scam.

“Perhaps the biggest scam and deceit of the Tinubu administration was the Student Loan Act, which he signed on June 12. 

“The new law provides loans for students’ tuition only. It doesn’t cover any other educational expenses. 

“After the law was signed, all Federal Government schools began increasing school fees.

“So if tuition is free and the Students Loan Act covers only tuition fees, that means the Student Loan Act is pointless, and no money will be released. 

“In essence, Tinubu’s government has prodded government schools to increase fees while no loans will be given to the students. This is the height of deception and wickedness.”