The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, has pledged to revisit and revise key policies of the Tinubu administration if elected President in 2027, including the controversial removal of fuel subsidy.
In an exclusive interview with _Vanguard_, Kachikwu argued that fuel subsidy is not inherently a bad policy, emphasizing that poor Nigerians should not be burdened with the “price of inefficiencies or the government’s inability to properly manage the subsidy system.” He asserted that only a few individuals have abused the scheme and called for their prosecution to restore order and transparency.
“The right thing to do is not to stop the scheme but to go after the corrupt individuals, prosecute them to the full extent of the law, and bring sanity into the system. That’s what we ought to have done,” Kachikwu said.
Critiquing the narrative surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy, Kachikwu clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not initiate the removal. Instead, he explained that the policy was effectively scrapped by the previous administration under late President Muhammadu Buhari, who excluded provisions for subsidy in the budget.
“President Tinubu didn’t remove the fuel subsidy. We must be careful about saying that the President removed fuel subsidies on the day of inauguration. Late President Buhari removed the fuel subsidy. He didn’t provide for it in the budget. President Tinubu came in, saw that there was no provision for fuel subsidy, and merely made the announcement,” Kachikwu stated.
He added that many Nigerians mistakenly attribute the removal of subsidies to Tinubu, when in reality, it was a continuation of Buhari’s policy decision.
Kachikwu’s stance comes as Nigeria grapples with rising inflation and economic hardship, exacerbated by the removal of subsidies. His promise to restore the scheme and prosecute corrupt actors is likely to resonate with citizens seeking relief from the high cost of living. As the 2027 elections approach, Kachikwu’s policy revision pledge sets the stage for a fierce debate on the future of Nigeria’s economic strategy.
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