The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kebbi State Chapter, has commended the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for his commitment to reintroducing fuel subsidies to cushion the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
The party, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Musa, described the commitment as a demonstration of patriotism, compassion and concern for the welfare of Nigerians.
According to the statement, millions of Nigerians are currently grappling with economic hardship and rising prices of goods and services, as well as increasing transportation costs.
The Kebbi ADC said a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free fuel subsidy regime could help reduce transportation costs and the prices of essential commodities, thereby making life more affordable for ordinary Nigerians and low-income households.
The party expressed its full support for Atiku’s position, describing it as timely given the prevailing economic challenges in the country.
It also prayed for divine guidance and wisdom for the ADC presidential candidate, expressing hope that he would lead Nigeria with justice, integrity, transparency, and genuine concern for the welfare of the people.
The Kebbi State chapter further called on Nigerians to continue praying and hoping for a better, more prosperous and stable country.
APC chieftain Faults Atiku
Meanwhile, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and petroleum marketer in Kebbi State, Aminullah Mustapha, has condemned Atiku’s statement.
Mustapha described the proposal as an attempt to revive a system he said had been characterised by corruption and abuse, arguing that returning to the subsidy regime would not serve the best interests of Nigerians.
He stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
The former ADC House of Representatives aspirant, who has experience in the petroleum business, said the subsidy regime was plagued by the diversion and misuse of public funds.
“During the subsidy regime, a lot of funds allocated to oil marketers were not going to the designated areas. Funds were allocated to bogus marketers to transport oil tankers, but they ended up collecting the money without transporting any oil,” he alleged.
