According to the report from the Daily Post, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga emphasized the necessity of subsidy removal and highlighted Atiku Abubakar’s reluctance to denounce the decision due to its economic significance.
He urged Atiku to refrain from engaging in petty politics as a response to his electoral loss and instead focus on addressing the needs of the nation.
Onanuga further detailed the Tinubu administration’s efforts to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on the most vulnerable populations, including cash transfers, distribution of palliatives, and the Presidential CNG Initiative.
He noted that these social inclusion programs, designed to provide support and relief, have been recognized by international organizations such as the World Bank for their transformative impact.
Onanuga also mentioned the active involvement of the administration in promoting student loans, consumer credits, and the conversion of vehicles to CNG, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
According to Bayo Onanuga, “Notably, while Atiku peddles his economic fantasies, he has yet to denounce President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy because he knows that the reform was necessary and correct. We can only urge him to purge himself of the petty, derisive politics of a sore loser.
To alleviate the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on the very poor and vulnerable, the Tinubu administration has embarked on an active social intervention campaign involving cash transfers and the distribution of palliatives. So far, 20 million Nigerians are being targeted for direct cash transfers, an established social protection mechanism described as economically transformative by the World Bank and many development partners.
The Tinubu administration has designed well-targeted social inclusion programmes, including student loans, consumer credits, and the Presidential CNG Initiative, all initiated within the first 12 months.”