Osita Okechukwu Accuses PET Of Undermining Tinubu Vision For Nigeria
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Presidential Economic Team (PET) to act fairly towards Nigerians amidst the economic hardship faced by citizens…READ MORE…
Okechukwu criticized the PET for failing to provide comprehensive details on the revenues generated from the removal of fuel subsidies.
Naija News reported on Friday that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating of the Economy, Wale Edun, along with the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, requested a closed-door session when questioned about the revenue from removed fuel subsidies during a meeting of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Budget and Finance.
In an open letter on Sunday, the former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) accused the economic team of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
“May I humbly appeal via this Open Letter and earnestly urge the Presidential Economic Team to consider the severe economic hardship in the country, and stop hindering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at lifting millions out of poverty.
“I am making this appeal because I am not the only foundational member of the APC who wants our great party to succeed; many do not wish for it to enter the 2027 general elections with lingering discontent, despondency, and despair.
“President Tinubu sincerely aims to consolidate the neoliberal capitalist system by making bold decisions to revitalize the Nigerian economy through his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Fortunately for us Nigerians, President Tinubu has embraced the principles of classical Non-Alignment-Doctrine, fostering a strong diplomatic relationship with both the West and the East.
“Despite the economic hardships and glaring inequality, Mr. President has mobilized international powers to leverage our demographic youth advantage in an aging world, thereby advancing the CHANGE pledged by the APC in July 2013,” he said.
The APC chieftain also emphasized the need for the economic team to prioritize alleviating the country’s hardships. He noted that during the late General Sani Abacha’s regime, the revenue from fuel subsidies was managed with accountability.
Okechukwu further criticized the economic team for continuing policies that lead to adverse economic conditions. He highlighted that only 25% of the 2024 Capital Budget has been released, operating under a multi-budget system.
Despite surpassing revenue targets, including N13.1 trillion vs. N12.3 trillion, N5.352 trillion vs. N5.09 trillion, and N5.7 trillion vs. N4.0 trillion for the NNPC, Nigeria Customs, and FIRS respectively, the nation continues to experience harsh economic conditions.
President Tinubu’s July 2023 statement on fuel subsidy removal emphasized the need for a fair democracy where the whims of a few do not dominate the aspirations of the many.
Okechukwu urged the Presidential Economic Team to remember the success of initiatives like the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under General Sani Abacha, which focused on social and physical infrastructure benefiting Nigerians.
“My humble appeal is that the Presidential Economic Team should ensure transparency and work hand-in-hand with Mr. President to guarantee his successful tenure and potential re-election in 2027,” he concluded.
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