Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vice Presidential candidate, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the removal of fuel subsidy. Amaechi made the allegations during a town hall meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, questioning the economic reasoning behind the sudden removal of the subsidy and accusing the President of failing to adequately consider the hardship the decision would impose on ordinary citizens.
Amaechi argued that the decision, presented as an act of political courage, was instead an example of recklessness, insisting that major economic reforms require careful planning, broad consultation, and practical safety nets to protect vulnerable citizens. He suggested that the government should have consulted economists, political scientists, and other stakeholders before implementing a decision with far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy and the living conditions of its citizens.
The former Minister of Transportation likened the consequences of abrupt policy decisions to the difficulty of stopping a moving train, drawing from his experience as a former minister responsible for Nigeria’s railway sector. He explained that even when a train driver applies the brakes, the train cannot come to an immediate halt, using the analogy to illustrate why governments must anticipate the consequences of major decisions before putting them into effect.
Amaechi’s strongest criticism centred on what he described as the administration’s apparent disregard for citizens struggling with the rising cost of living. He alleged that the President was punishing Nigerians who did not vote for him in the 2023 presidential election, stating that the hardship resulting from the policy reflected resentment towards Nigerians who did not support Tinubu.
The allegations came as Amaechi highlighted the ripple effects of subsidy removal on transportation costs and the prices of goods and services, arguing that the policy had placed additional financial pressure on households and businesses. He maintained that increased transport fares inevitably affect other sectors of the economy because the cost of moving people, food, and other essential commodities influences the prices consumers eventually pay.
Amaechi expressed confidence in his ability to defend his position on the economy, challenging members of the administration’s economic team to a public debate on the policy and its impact. Although he acknowledged that he was not an economist, he declared that he was still ready for a debate with anyone they will bring forward.
Amaechi’s remarks have brought renewed political attention to the debate over fuel subsidy removal, economic reforms, and the extent to which government policies have affected Nigerians’ purchasing power. His claim that the President’s decision was intended to punish voters who did not support him remains an allegation made by the opposition figure and was not independently established in the account of the town hall meeting.
Key points
- Amaechi criticizes Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy without adequate measures to cushion its economic consequences.
- Amaechi alleges that Tinubu is punishing Nigerians who did not vote for him in the 2023 presidential election.
- Amaechi challenges the administration’s economic team to a public debate on the policy and its impact.
