Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni has accused the Federal Government of hypocrisy over its decision to introduce a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, filling stations.
Oseni argued that the discount amounted to a return of fuel
subsidy despite the position of the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, that
the measure was not a subsidy.
The broadcaster made the remarks on Friday during The
Morning Show, an Arise Television programme.
He questioned why the government, which had consistently
opposed the return of fuel subsidy, introduced the petrol discount for only 30
days, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general election gathered
momentum.
Oseni also commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
for bringing the need to cushion the effects of rising petrol prices to the
forefront of public debate.
He recalled that Atiku, in a speech delivered on September
18, argued that President Bola Tinubu could rename the intervention and take
credit for it, provided it reduced the burden on Nigerians.
According to Oseni, the government had failed to introduce
sufficient relief measures for Nigerians despite the rise in global crude oil
prices since March 8.
He said the decision to offer a petrol discount demonstrated
that the government could intervene to ease the burden on citizens, contrary to
its earlier position that fuel subsidy should not return.
Oseni said: “Subsidy is back. Welcome back, subsidy. The
fact that the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, says it’s not a subsidy does
not mean it’s not a subsidy.
“Read my lips. It is a subsidy, and it is back. Who do we
have to thank? Atiku Abubakar. I never knew there would be a day I would thank
you, Atiku Abubakar.
“If not for you, this government wouldn’t have thought of
any reprieve for anybody. If not for you, who brought the subsidy issue to the
front burner, the government wouldn’t have thought of anything to cushion the
effects of rising petrol prices, which have exceeded $100 per barrel since
March 8.
“But today, Atiku Abubakar, take your flowers. On September
18, Atiku gave a speech, and I will quote that speech. He said, ‘President Bola
Tinubu can even rename it and take the glory, as long as the pain is less on
the people.’
“So, it is possible. You see, hypocrisy is so much in this
country. Government officials spent all these months defending their position
and saying, ‘No, subsidy should not come back. It is an aberration.
“If we
do this, if we do that, it’s an aberration.’ But when it’s one month to the election, they
quickly bring it back for 30 days.
“But, as people have asked, after 30 days, when they have
switched people off and held the election, will we see the outcome and then
they will take it back?
“This is because a government that didn’t care for you since
March 8, when petrol prices reached $100 per barrel, has now introduced a
discount in the middle of October for just one month.
“So, we have seen that it was possible. This was the same
President Tinubu who told us, ‘Hypocrisy is so much in this country.’ He said
the state governors should use CNG to reduce transportation costs. That’s why
they were pushing CNG. So, now you’ve gone back and given people a discount.
“For those who are saying it’s a discount, not a subsidy,
okay, who will bear the cost of the lost profit? You people fail to understand,
in basic economics, that your profit is also used to invest in a business. So,
when you make the argument that it’s a discount, not a subsidy…”
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