…charges Tinubu to come clean, demands open investigation

By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the scandalous revelation that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration is secretly paying a whopping N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for 2024 has exposed the administration as a cesspit of corruption, lies, and deceit.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said this in a statement in Abuja yesterday. 

He said this revelation came on the heels of President Tinubu’s declaration that his administration no longer pays subsidy on fuel. 

Ologunagba said, “This revelation by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, shows the callousness of the APC administration, which is forcing Nigerians to buy fuel at very exorbitant price of over N800 per liter in various parts of the country while trillions of naira is allegedly being paid as fuel subsidy into private bank accounts associated with corrupt APC leaders.

“Nigerians can recall how APC leaders, in their characteristic manner, tried to divert public attention when the PDP earlier alerted of this fraudulent act in a statement on May 28, 2024. 

“This revelation by Wale Edun after series of denials by APC leaders and government officials validates the axiom that no matter how long lies appear to thrive the truth, like the sun, will always prevail.

“Is it not provocative and an act of extreme insensitivity that while our nation is suffering from grave infrastructural decay and millions of Nigerians subjected to punishing hardship, acute poverty, life of misery and utter despondency by the removal of subsidy without cushioning measures, a staggering N5.4 trillion, in the name of fuel subsidy, is reportedly being cornered by corrupt APC leaders?

“The deceit which is prevalent in the APC government is responsible for plunging Nigerians deeper into destitution with no hope in sight under the current administration.

“Nigerians deserve to know; Where is the N5.4 trillion being taken from? Which agency of government is responsible for the payment of the said fuel subsidy, and to whom? What is the criteria used for payment? 

“What volume of fuel is being subsidized and at what cost? Why is petrol still selling exorbitantly even with the revelation of the continuing payment of fuel subsidy? These are questions that need to be answered.”

The PDP further demanded that President Tinubu immediately clear the air and come clean by personally addressing Nigerians and ordering a public inquiry into the reported N5.4 trillion fuel subsidy under his watch.

The party also asked the president to immediately review his economic team with a view to getting capable hands and checking the corruption prevalent in the administration.

The PDP equally said, “Mr. President must also review the economic policies of the administration that is strangulating the people. Recognising, accepting, and reviewing a flawed economic policy is not weakness but courage. That is what defines a leader at a time like this.

“President Tinubu should listen to the heartbeat of Nigerians. There is hunger and destitution in the land. The reaction of a hungry people is better imagined! Mr. President, please act now.”