Yakubu Dogara Clarifies: President Tinubu Not Responsible for Petroleum Subsidy Removal
Former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara stated that President Bola Tinubu was not responsible for the removal of the petroleum subsidy. While acknowledging the President’s announcement that “subsidy is gone,” Dogara clarified that the policy was already in motion prior to Tinubu’s election.
In a discussion, Dogara explained that there was no provision for subsidy payments in the budget approved by the National Assembly before Tinubu took office. He acknowledged that although Nigerians are experiencing the effects of subsidy removal, he believes it is a necessary step for the country’s progress.
Dogara emphasized that the time for merely discussing the numerous challenges facing Nigeria without focusing on solutions must come to an end. He stated that real change requires sacrifices.
“The issue with this country is that people tend to dwell on its problems and consider leaving Nigeria, as if such issues don’t exist elsewhere. However, there’s a lack of discussion about solutions, even among the elites. When you engage with them, it’s always about the problems, not the solutions,” Dogara remarked.
Regarding the subsidy removal and its consequences, the former speaker stated, “In this case, there was no provision for it. Anyone who claims that he (Tinubu) suspended it is simply joking, because how can he suspend a payment that was never budgeted for in the first place?”
Dogara clarified that there was no provision for subsidy payments in the budget and stated, “I am not aware of any amendment made to accommodate the payment of subsidy. The truth is that he (Tinubu) was not the one who removed the subsidy, but he did make that pronouncement.”
He further emphasized, “Whether we like it or not, we must accept the reality unless we are being disingenuous. Regardless of whether the President said the subsidy was gone or was removing it, we all know that the subsidy had been removed before he was elected. Since there was no provision for it in the budget, which is backed by the constitution, how can it be paid for?”
Tinubu announced the removal of the subsidy on petroleum products during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, stating, “Subsidy is gone” at Eagle Square, Abuja, shortly after being sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria. He noted that there was no provision for subsidy in the national budget from June 2023, thus confirming its removal.
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