Ganduje Defends Tinubu, Denies Deception In Subsidy Removal

Ganduje Defends Tinubu, Denies Deception In Subsidy Removal

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stepped forward to defend President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petroleum subsidy, asserting that it was not an attempt to manipulate public sentiment.

Ganduje’s plea for patience and understanding came during a solidarity visit by a delegation from the dissolved APC presidential campaign Council, led by Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd), to the national secretariat in Abuja.

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Addressing the public, Ganduje emphasized that President Tinubu was transparent and honest in his approach to the subsidy removal, both in his election campaign and during his tenure. He stressed that the decision was based on a commitment to address the challenges posed by the subsidy and its removal.

Ganduje stated, “The removal of subsidies, no doubt, is a welcome development. And you know, he didn’t want to deceive people even during the electioneering process. Before he was voted in, he said he would remove it. So he was honest. And now it has been removed. But of course, there are some pains.”

Amid reports of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited securing a $3 billion emergency loan to strengthen the naira, Ganduje’s defense of Tinubu’s actions sought to address the concerns raised by the subsidy removal’s impact on citizens.

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The APC chairman emphasized the collective nature of the government’s response, noting that President Tinubu invited governors from various political affiliations to discuss the agenda, which includes short-term relief, medium measures, and long-term solutions to alleviate citizens’ difficulties.

Ganduje pointed out that the subsidy removal was a necessary step toward a sustainable economic future, comparing the nation’s experience to that of developed countries that have encountered similar obstacles in their growth trajectory.

He underscored the importance of the long-term measures, which encompass plans for immediate relief, investment in gas-powered transportation, and the development of a robust railway system to facilitate more efficient travel.

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While the subsidy removal triggered panic buying and fuel scarcity in various parts of the country, Ganduje’s defense aimed to reassure Nigerians that the government’s intentions were in their best interest. The reassurance extended to efforts in providing palliatives and introducing policies for sustainable economic development.

In response, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd) expressed gratitude for Ganduje’s reassurance and pledged continued support from their members who contributed to the president’s victory. The exchange underlines the government’s efforts to justify and contextualize its actions to a concerned populace.