Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, National Chairman, Action Democratic party ADP has commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking a very bold step to remove the infamous fuel subsidy.

 

Engr. Yabagi who is also the chairman of inter-party Advisory council gave the commendation on Wednesday while presenting certificate of return to the winner of the Imo state Governorship primary conducted in April at the party national secretariat, Abuja.

 

The ADP National Chairman said it is a known fact that fuel subsidy issue in Nigeria is like a ghost whose abode is unknown to anybody because in all discussions surrounding fuel subsidy, like its payment and who receives the payment still remains a mirage.

 

"Notwithstanding, fuel subsidy has been removed and Nigerians are groaning under the unbearable yoke of the removal. We are of the opinion that fuel subsidy removal should not just be removal for its sake but that the Federal Government should dig deep into how the whole system has been working from its inception till date. What we are saying in effect is, the massive corruption in fuel subsidy regime should be probed and sanctions meted out to culprits.

 

"Having noted that, the next stage now is the nature of palliatives as is been taunted everywhere. We advise the Federal Government to deploy scientific and calculated method to administer the palliatives. For instance, the government can give food vouchers or stamps to the poorest of the poor; palliatives can be given to farmers by way of provision of farming inputs like fertilisers and agro chemicals. It could be recalled that farmers were enlisted into farmers wallet introduced by Mr Akinwumi Adesina as Minister of Agriculture under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. That formula can be used because of its transparency.

 

He said that part of the money for palliatives can be used as seed money for the student loan scheme which in the long run, will impact on the poor.

 

He speaks further, "It will be an irony and an amusing one at that for the leadership to live in opulence while the citizenry is asked to tighten their belts.

 

The Action Democratic Party therefore called on those in authority to cut down their excesses that tend to spit on the eyes of the common man.

 

"It is our belief that efficiency without effectiveness can be disastrous. It will be unfair to take alibi, if not a lie, to believe that only efficient people would be appointed into governance. And of course, efficient people or capable people can be found in every tribe and tongue in this country. Therefore, we advise that we should think of the government of National Unity rather than skewing the appointments to one region or the other under the guise of capability.

 

"I therefore welcome all of us to the National Secretariat of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) on this historic day preparatory to our Occupation of the Government House in Owerri, Imo State come November, 2023.

 

"What we are doing today is the continuation of the process that started in April, 2023 when ADP held its gubernatorial primary election in Owerri. The primary election was transparent, orderly, peaceful and successful and His Excellency (Dr) Nwoga Onyekachi Steve emerged the winner. On behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), I congratulate you for winning the primaries.

 

"Before I present the Certificate of Return, permit me to say a little on the personage of our candidate.

 

"Dr Nwoga is a distinguished Nigerian, imbued with many parts: a political colossus and a humanitarian medical practitioner who is knowledgeable and willing to reengineer Imo State. As a young man, he chose the medical profession because of the compassion he has for humanity, a trait he is set to extend through politics. Through the instrumentality of Dr Nwoga, ADP will dislodge the merciless and highhanded administration of the APC in Imo State.

 

"Imo State, fondly called the Eastern Heartland is on our mind. Those of you that are conversant with history will recall that Imolites are polished people. We therefore expect the Imo people to vote for only the person that would further polish issues that concern them. Dr Nwoga is the brain that Imo State needs now."