By NEXTER
Residents of Katsina State have thrown their weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over his recent promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027.
The position was expressed during a Hausa phone-in programme on Ray Power Radio and Television, Katsina, which featured Hon. Surajo Aminu-Makera, a chieftain of the ADC in the state.
Aminu-Makera, former General Manager of the Katsina State Transport Authority, said President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of subsidy removal during his inauguration in May 2023 was hasty and was made without adequate consultation with critical stakeholders.
According to him, a decision as critical as petrol subsidy removal requires careful study, noting that the 2023 decision has caused untold hardship for Nigerians.
He also queried the Federal Government’s management of funds saved from subsidy removal.
“The President ended up telling Nigerians that the 36 state governments always receive 48 per cent of accrued revenue from the subsidy removal without telling us what his administration at the federal level does with its 52 per cent accruable from the same funds.
“He should allow us query our governors on how they manage our resources at the state level but he should tell us, Nigerians, how he manages our resources too,” he said.
Speaking on the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ADC chieftain described the ADC as the only viable opposition political party, claiming it is the only party that has fielded candidates for all elective positions from presidential to governorship and National and State Assembly seats.
On security, Aminu-Makera made reference to a recent visit to President Tinubu by Catholic priests who drew attention to the difficulties facing Nigerians, and questioned how solutions could be found if the reality of the situation is not acknowledged.
He urged Nigerians to vote wisely in 2027 by voting out the All Progressives Congress (APC) and bringing in the ADC to provide good governance.
According to the statement, callers to the programme commended the ADC for keeping opposition alive and for remaining focused on its preparations to unseat the APC-led government at all levels.
The Katsina reaction follows a pledge by Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the ADC, that he would restore fuel subsidy if elected President in 2027.
Atiku made the pledge during a Hausa interview last Wednesday, arguing that the government had failed to account for savings from subsidy removal.
The Presidency has since rejected the proposal, warning it could put pressure on public finances, while the APC described it as a reversal of Atiku’s earlier position in support of subsidy removal.
