Subsidy Removal, FG’s Best Decision Since 1999 – Tanko Yakasai
By Ozumi Abdul,
Elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has described the decision of President Bola Ahmed to remove fuel subsidy as the ‘best ever’ by the federal government, since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
Yakasai stated this during an exclusive interview with POLITICS DIGEST in Kano State, recently.
According to him, the lack of necessary political will to end the subsidy regime by successive governments is responsible for the country’s debilitating economic challenges.
He said Tinubu’s announcement of the removal of subsidy on petrol during his inaugural speech on May 29, shows that he knows the level of challenge confronting Nigeria’s economy.
Recall that President Tinubu during his inaugural speech tersely said, “It is gone,” to signal the end of the subsidy regime.
Yakasai, said: “I commend Tinubu for taking such a giant step. This is what subsequent governments didn’t do.
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“How would you live about 25 percent of the country’s economy in the hands of few people to decide the fate of others?
“Who does that? Fuel subsidy is a scam. I thank God it’s gone and may it never return again.
“We have to be truthful to ourselves that we were in the cages of those who were benefiting and harvesting big from the subsidy, where the poor is robbed for the rich”.
On the lack of putting necessary palliatives in place by the government to cushion the subsidy removal effects, the elder statesman urged Nigerians to be patient with the new government, assuring that it will surely do something to alleviate their sufferings.
When quizzed about the President’s delay in his ministerial nominees since he promised to ‘hit the ground running’ as soon as he assumed office, Yakasai noted that Tinubu is a meticulous leader who takes his time in order to get his decisions right.
He said the President understands that there is no margin for failure, and that he would want to put the right pegs in the right holes, for things to work again in the country.
He added that Tinubu’s postures so far signified that there are good days ahead.
