I will remove fuel subsidy immediately if elected – Obi

Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says he will not allow fuel subsidy to stay a day longer if elected Nigeria’s president, describing it as organised crime that should not be tolerated.

He faulted the humongous amount being allocated to subsidy by the Federal Government at the expense of infrastructure, education, health and other vital sectors.

“I can assure you, it will go immediately. Subsidy – I’ve said it before – is organised crime and I will not allow it to stay a day longer,” he said during a live appearance on Channels Television’s People’s Townhall in Abuja on Sunday.

Payment of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government is scheduled to end by June 30 this year.

Obi said, “What they’re telling you is not what it is. Half of what is being mentioned is not subsidy. First is that we consume the quantity that is not supposed to be consumed here. We are the same population with Pakistan. They consume below 50 per cent of what we consume.

“So, the first half, I will remove it and give those people who are drinking it water – because that’s what they’re supposed to drink – so we can save the money.”

The LP presidential candidate further noted that at present, Nigeria was burdened with debts.

According to him, Nigeria needs the money to be able to invest in critical social development issues.

“Look at this year’s budget: education, which is the highest since this government came, is about N2 trillion. Health, which is the highest since this government came, is about N1.5 trillion. Then infrastructure, which is roads and everything, is about N1 trillion.

“These three critical development areas are receiving N4.5 trillion. Subsidy is N3.6 trillion – half year. So, if it’s a full year, it’s about N7 trillion. Which country will invest more in subsidy than education and health and even roads? It doesn’t make sense,” he said.