Mohammed Idris, who is the Minister of Information and National Orientationhas said the criticism from opposition political parties was unnecessary since all presidential candidates promised they would remove fuel subsidy.
Mohammed Idris emphasized that there was no reason for criticizing President Bola Tinubu because he removed fuel subsidy which other presidential candidates agreed to remove.
Mohammed Idris admitted that Nigeria is facing a challenging time because of the two policies of removing fuel subsidy and unifying exchange rate.
He said the Tinubu took the decision as a man of courage because it has benefit for the country in the short and long term
He explained that President did not meet any provision in 2023 budget for fuel subsidy when he took office; that made the President not continue with it.
Idris disclosed that by the time Tinubu took over administration of Nigeria, the country was importing 2 billion liters of fuel every month for domestic consumption; but when the subsidy was removed, consumption reduced by 50 percent because petrol imported where going to places other than Nigeria.
Mohammed Idris said, “Nigeria is facing a very tough time since Tinubu took office approximately 14 months ago. It has been a very eventful 14 months. Because of the kind of person he is, the courage, he does things that people shy away from.
Two major policies, one, the removal of fuel subsidy, from the first day of this administration. Then a few months after, the unification of our foreign exchange.
“So when I hear criticism about why the President had to remove it, my question remains why are they not sincere in the promise they agreed on. What has changed? Or would they have taken office and not fulfill the promise they made to Nigerians?
Removing of fuel subsidy is really a big one and the President knew that it was going to be something that will be beneficial to this country in the short and long term, By May 29 of 2023, when he took office, there was no provision for fuel subsidy in the budget, no provision at all.