Tinubu, APC could have lost if Buhari had announced fuel subsidy removal - Garba Shehu – Newstrends
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Tinubu, APC could have lost if Buhari had announced fuel subsidy removal – Garba Shehu

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Tinubu, APC could have lost if Buhari had announced fuel subsidy removal – Garba Shehu

 

Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari could not order removal of petrol subsidy so as not cost his party, the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate candidate, Bola Tinubu, from winning the February 25 2023 election.

Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement on Monday evening,

He said even though Petroleum Industry Act gave the President the power to remove the subsidy, taking such an action close to the general election could have been detrimental to the ruling party, APC.

Although the Buhari administration did not remove the subsidy on petrol, it only made provision for subsidy in the 2023 budget until June 30.

Shehu said, “The Buhari administration in its last days could not have gone the whole way because the APC had an election to win. And that would have been the case with any political party that was seeking election for another term with a new principal at its head.

“Poll after poll showed that the party would have been thrown out of office if the decision as envisaged by the new Petroleum Industry Act was made.” Shehu wrote came in defence of his principal following criticisms that greeted Tinubu’s prompt removal of petrol subsidy.

Tinubu announced the removal during his inaugural speech on 29 May, leading to the increase in petrol prices from about N200 to over N500.

The government and many analysts have defended the subsidy removal saying the country lacks the resources to continue to do shoulder it amidst dwindling economic fortunes.

Nigeria spent over N4 trillion subsidizing petrol in 2022.

But critics say the removal of petrol subsidy has further impoverished Nigerians, raising the price of goods and services, in a country where about half of the population lives in poverty.

In his Monday statement, Shehu also said the decision to remove subsidy by the immediate past administration was “cued and put on a hold” for a better time.

“Removing subsidies for the Naira and PMS was cued and put on hold. Look for example in the Petroleum Industry Act. The important decision was kept for a better time,” he said.

The former presidential spokesperson noted that the decision to remove fuel subsidy could not have come at a time when tensions were high in the country.

“No responsible leader would have added fuel to the fire,” he said.

Shehu said the Buhari administration believed in the removal of subsidies and had done so in other areas such as subsidy on fertiliser.

“That’s why it’s important to remind ourselves – and all those who have conveniently forgotten – that the Buhari administration had been on this pathway from the very beginning in 2015,” he said.

 

 

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Banire, others to speak at NACOMYO Lagos workshop/retreat

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Banire, others to speak at NACOMYO Lagos workshop/retreat

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) Lagos chapter says it will hold its 4th Mid-term Workshop/Retreat on June 8, 2024.

The event fixed for the NERDC Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, would focus on crucial topics relevant to the socio-economic and political landscape of Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, NACOMYO said.

According to a statement by the organisation, a former Chairman of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Dr. Muiz Banire will give the keynote address at the event under the theme ‘Leadership, Governance and Economic Imperative: Muslim Youth in the Post-Subsidy Era’.

“Additionally, the workshop will feature lead paper presentations by notable figures including Honorable Abubakar Mobolaji Ogunlende RAK, the Commissioner for Youth and Sport in Lagos State, and Honorable Ibrahim Layode, the Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos State.

“One of the highlights of the event will be a guest lecture delivered by His Eminence Sheikh Engr. Sulaimon Abuo-Nola, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos,” it stated.

The State Coordinator of NACOMYO Lagos State, Alhaji Isiaka Salami, it added, would lead other members to the event.

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Updated: Reps condemn assault on Nasarawa female doctor by patient family 

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Updated: Reps condemn assault on Nasarawa female doctor by patient family 

Chairman of the Committee, Amos Magaji, spoke on behalf of the committee shortly after members carried out an oversight visit at the FMC on Wednesday.

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Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

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Reno Omokri

Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

A former presidential aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has been described as a man who cannot “win a position in history  church prayer meeting group not to talk about a government position.”

These were the remarks of a cross-section of Nigerians who criticized Omokri for describing the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as a “bushman.”

Omokro, in a statement on Wednesday, described Fubara as a classless politician who acts like a “militant in the creek.”

The social media influencer remarked while commenting on the ongoing feud between the Rivers state governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

Omokri mentioned that the governor of Rivers State is a ‘tactless’ politician who is “not refined and does not project much intellectual prowess.”

The self-acclaimed table shaker raised concerns that the political tension in the state may spread across the country, having negative effects.

He therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ameliorate the feud in the state.

“If their blustering will start and end in Rivers, okay. But it will not end there. The contagious effect may have seismic consequences for our country. Rivers needs an outside force to act as Big Brother. Rivers needs presidential intervention,” Omokri stated.

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Reacting to Omokri’s statement, Ovih Williams said, “It seems you know a lot about Nigerian politics, but what’s stopping you from getting a ticket and running for public office? Oh, let’s guess, you can’t even win a position in your church prayer meeting group not to talk about a government position.”

He adds, “No one can and will trust you with power; your forked tongue will not allow anyone to entrust you with a ticket or an appointment because you will surely betray them in the end, like you did Atiku Abubakar.

“What’s funny is you now doing everything humanly possible to wow the same @officialABAT you called “thief!, ole!!, drug dealer!!!, etc.” just months ago.”

Osadolo Osazeme, in his reaction, mentioned that “Reno is taking trash. If Reno were in Fubara’s shoes, I guess he would do worse to sustain his seat. Imagine Reno selling his soul for Tinubu after campaigning for Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.”

Abdulrahman Abdulrajid berated Omokri, saying, “You never stand for truth. You were defending the action of Ododo for interfering with the EFCC by arresting Yahaya Bello. Now You are taking sides against Fubara.”

He adds, “You talking rubbish! Are you encouraging God-fatherism or what? You didn’t see those videos of how the local government chairman insulted him! Did you know how many people’s properties were demolished in River State?”

“I disagree with you. Gov. Fubara is not a Bushman,” Agba Nwagbegbe noted.

“He represents the interests of the Rivers people. And he didn’t allow the bombing of the HOA. You don’t know what happened there. Rivers State will not be controlled by foreign players; the people of Rivers decide,” he adds.

Amb Mike Damisa, wrote, “I’m disappointed at Reno Omokri; I never saw your write-up condemning Wike’s boys trying to remove a sitting governor for no crime committed just 6 months after he assumed power as Governor of Rivers State, and you never make reference to the status of the defected assembly members, but the same you brag daily on how your father saved Peter Obi during his time as Governor of Anambra State.

“The same you that wants a better Nigeria! Wike shouldn’t be in existence politically if Nigeria needs a fresh air.”

Malam Lukman stated, “Sir, you are taking sides here. After calling Fubara all sorts of names, call Wike with the names he deserves too.

“Wike isn’t perfect, and in this matter, he’s at fault too. He initiated this in the first place. Why are you scapegoating Fubara all of a sudden? No, I don’t agree with you here.”

Tamuno Nengi also commented, “I’ve never expected anything reasonable from you, and you never even try to prove me wrong. You keep jumping from pillar to post. We are waiting for you to grow the naira with caps from Katangwa and walking sticks from Panya.”

Nigerians attack Reno Omokri for calling Fubara ‘bushman’

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