By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
Over 150 civil society and non-government organizations, under the umbrella of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), have expressed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidies.
The groups criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for pursuing unpopular deregulation programs.
According to Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the spokesperson for CNG, the Federal Government’s expenditure of N2.91 trillion on petrol subsidies between January and September 2022 has significantly contributed to the country’s declining public finances.
Suleiman highlighted that the subsidy regime has been marred by corruption, benefiting only a few wealthy individuals while hindering Nigeria’s development goals.
He further emphasized that the annual amount spent on subsidies surpasses the funds required to construct major infrastructure projects, such as railways and stadiums, across the country.
In a recent one-day stakeholder roundtable held in Kaduna, the groups expressed their concerns about the backlash following the withdrawal of subsidies.
They argued that subsidies have been a conduit for siphoning public funds to the advantage of a powerful cartel, while ordinary Nigerians suffer.
The CNG called on the Nigerian masses to resist the propaganda campaigns launched by these “merciless cartels” and urged the federal government to implement social cushioning measures alongside subsidy removal.
The groups also appealed to President Tinubu to address the current high fuel price and investigate the fuel market chain, holding those involved in smuggling, hoarding, and subsidy scams accountable, regardless of their rank or status.
As countries worldwide work towards removing fossil fuel subsidies to meet their human rights obligations, the CNG emphasized the need for a permanent solution that ensures affordable petroleum prices.
