Former governor of Rivers State and Vice Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has defended the plan by ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to reintroduce production subsidy. Amaechi made these comments at the ADC National Women's League Inauguration and Unveiling of ADC Women 1-10 Votes initiative in Abuja. He emphasized that the subsidy in question is production subsidy, not consumer subsidy.
According to Amaechi, production subsidy involves supporting local refiners by supplying crude at a reduced cost to bring down the price of fuel. This, he believes, will have a ripple effect on the cost of living, as fuel price increases affect transport, food, and other costs. He cited the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the cost of haircuts, transport, and kerosene.
Amaechi urged wives of governors and women leaders to put pressure on their husbands to work for the victory of the ADC in the upcoming presidential election. He humorously noted that men are controlled by their wives, citing his own experience. Amaechi also announced plans to visit Delta, Edo, and Cross River states for mobilisation.
The ADC aims to win not only the presidential election but also governorship seats, as Amaechi stressed that the President cannot govern without governors. He charged women to return to their states and mobilise at the ward level, suggesting that if they bring 2,000 votes per ward, they can garner 17 million votes.
Amaechi highlighted the crucial role of women in the struggle to take power, drawing parallels with their role in the liberation of South Africa and the APC's campaign to unseat the previous government. He also expressed concern over the worsening economic hardship since he left government, citing figures on out-of-school children and illiteracy.
Citing statistics, Amaechi noted that there were between 10 and 12 million out-of-school children when he left government as minister, but this number has risen to 20 million, with 80 percent from the North. He also stated that there are 92 million illiterate Nigerians, with 80 percent from the North, describing this figure as higher than under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Amaechi criticised the President Bola Tinubu administration for worsening the cost of living, referencing fuel price increases and food importation. He argued that the importation of rice undermines local farmers empowered under the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria during the Buhari administration.
Key points
- Amaechi supports Atiku's plan to reintroduce production subsidy to reduce fuel prices.
- The ADC aims to win the presidential election and governorship seats.
- Amaechi criticised the current administration for worsening economic hardship.
