President Bola Tinubu has defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying Nigeria will not return to the days of subsidising petrol.
The president spoke on Monday at an event organised by the
City Boy Movement, a pro-Tinubu group led by his son Seyi, which is mobilising
young voters for his re-election.
Drawing a parallel with the Biblical story of Moses leading
Israelites out of Egypt, Tinubu said Israelites faced a challenge at the Red
Sea but were made to pass after the sea parted.
He argued that Moses could not be asked to return to Egypt.
“I came and I removed subsidy the first day. I knew Nigeria
would go bankrupt. There was nothing left to pay subsidy. I could listen to my
political opponents promising a return to subsidy,” he said.
“I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and in
the Holy Quran.
“When Moses and Musa left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and
the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt.”
The president urged young voters to obtain their permanent
voter cards (PVCs) and use them in the 2027 presidential election.
“Make sure every young person you know has a PVC and uses
it,” he said.
“Tell them what we have done and tell them what we will do.
“We will campaign with our ideas, original thoughts and deep
thinking to move this country forward. With your energy and support, never will
we go back to Egypt.”
Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy on May
29, 2023, during his inauguration.
Opposition candidates have criticised the policy, with some
promising to restore the subsidy if elected in 2027.
Last week, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate
of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said the party “will do whatever is
necessary” to reduce petrol prices, including possibly restoring the subsidy if
it wins the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso’s comments came weeks after Peter Obi, the NDC
presidential candidate, said his administration would restore the petrol
subsidy after tackling corruption.
Donald Duke, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential
candidate, said earlier this month that he would reduce the price of petrol to
about N300 per litre if elected president in 2027.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate
of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said in August that he would restore
the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
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