Bola Tinubu, standard bearer of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), has reiterated his position on petrol subsidy, saying it is not
fair to poor Nigerians.
Tinubu spoke in a
recent interview with Kaduna-based Freedom Radio while in Saudi Arabia for
Lesser Hajj.
Last month, Tinubu had stated his stance on phasing out the
energy subsidy, insisting that he would stop the payments without regard to
protests, if he becomes president.
“No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove
subsidy,” he had said.
However, clarifying this statement, Tinubu said his administration
would never suppress dissenting views.
He alleged that fake news peddlers have resorted to taking
some of his statements out of context.
“As the elections are coming closer, the signs are clear and
that is why our opponents are jittery. They have now resorted to peddling fake
news and quoting some of my statements out of context just to score cheap
points,” he said.
The former Lagos governor reiterated that, if elected, he
would end subsidy and divert the funds to the needy.
“Recently I was asked about fuel subsidy removal, and I said
I will ensure we end the wastage and re-channel the money to the people who
truly need it,” he said.
“This is one position that almost all the candidates are
united about. We all agreed that the subsidy regime is abused and it favours
the rich more than the poor. It has to go.
“I couldn’t have opposed people expressing their own
position on this. I believe in consultation and guaranteed by democratic values
and norms.
“I respect opinion of
people and I would not be party to stifling dissenting views or any legitimate
protest.
“I am a veteran of protests myself. So, why should I say
people should not embark on well-intentioned protest? There is no excuse for
that and there is no abuse of power intended.”
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