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Adesina Celebrates Buhari at 82, Reveals Why Fuel Subsidy Stayed Under His Watch

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3 hours ago

Dec 18, 2024.

Femi Adesina, the former spokesman to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that his former principal refrained from removing the fuel subsidy during his tenure because of his deep concern for ordinary Nigerians.

EkoHotBlog recalls Adesina describing Buhari as a leader who prioritized the welfare of the poor, earning him the affectionate title “Ore Mekunu,” meaning “friend of the poor.”

Adesina made this disclosure in a heartfelt tribute to Buhari on the occasion of his 82nd birthday on December 17, 2024. In the tribute, he shed light on the reasons behind Buhari’s decision to sustain the subsidy, even when the economic and fiscal challenges of doing so were evident.

“But who ensured that subsidies remained as long as they did? Buhari. And why? The people, the ordinary people,” Adesina wrote. He emphasized that Buhari was deeply concerned about the implications of removing the subsidy on everyday Nigerians, a demographic he held dear throughout his political career.

Adesina recounted Buhari’s rationale for maintaining the subsidy: “His argument was always simple: When oil sold for at least 100 dollars per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as 140 dollars per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”

Buhari’s policies, according to Adesina, reflected his bond with the masses. Ordinary Nigerians naturally gravitated toward him, a phenomenon likened to “bees to the honeycomb.” This deep connection translated into a consistent groundswell of support, which often gave Buhari a “basket of millions of waiting votes” even before the first ballot was cast.

Despite his critics, Buhari’s focus on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians defined much of his presidency. This focus influenced his decision-making, including his stance on contentious issues like the fuel subsidy.

However, in August 2022, during his final year in office, his administration announced plans to halt the costly subsidy by June 2023. By then, he was preparing to leave office, and the responsibility of implementing the policy was passed to his successor.

On May 29, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari handed over the reins of power to President Bola Tinubu. In his inaugural address, Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy, marking a significant policy shift.

Tinubu justified the decision as a means to promote transparency and accountability in the energy sector. He explained that funds previously allocated to subsidizing petroleum products would now be redirected toward developing infrastructure and improving the nation’s social services.

While Tinubu acknowledged the challenges of implementing the policy, he defended the move as necessary for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability.

“By removing the subsidy, we are creating a more transparent and accountable energy sector. The funds that were previously allocated to subsidizing petroleum products are now redirected towards developing and upgrading our energy and other social infrastructure,” Tinubu stated.

Adesina’s tribute underscored the contrast between Buhari’s approach and Tinubu’s policy decisions.

While Buhari maintained the subsidy as a protective measure for the poor, Tinubu took the bold step of removing it to address broader fiscal and structural challenges. As Buhari celebrated his 82nd birthday, Adesina hailed him as a leader whose legacy as a friend of the poor continues to resonate, eveni n retirement.

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