A former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, has said that
former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to remove fuel subsidy to avoid
criticism.
Akande said this in an interview on a Channels Television
programme on Friday.
According to Akande, Buhari refrained from being publicly
criticised after he removed it the first time and faced serious backlash while
saying he was not pleased with the decision.
He said, “Removal of subsidy—between the time Buhari was elected president and the time he was inaugurated, we had several discussions, sessions, and meetings to see that the subsidy should be removed.
“And he was convinced. And I thought that as soon as he got
to power, he would remove the subsidy, but I don’t know what happened.
“After his
inauguration, he started being careful, slowing down until the first four
years. So, at the beginning of his first term, he came out; he wanted to remove
the subsidy, but the country reacted and he had to back out.
“So, from the beginning, I was uncomfortable with Buhari
having the subsidy in his hand. The subsidy ought to have been removed in his
time; by now, Nigerians would have been used to it, and it would have been
smooth.”
Akande further stated that he expected the subsidy to be
eliminated early in Buhari’s term.
However, he said he observed a change in approach after
Buhari assumed office, with a cautious and gradual approach that continued into
the first four years.
Akande noted that Buhari initially intended to remove the
subsidy at the beginning of his first term, but public reaction prompted a
reconsideration.
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