By Yarima Haruna, Kebbi
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and petroleum marketer in Kebbi State, Aminullah Mustapha, has condemned the statement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, promising to reintroduce fuel subsidy if elected president.
Mustapha described the proposal as an attempt to revive a system he said had been characterised by corruption and abuse, arguing that returning to the subsidy regime would not serve the best interests of Nigerians.
He stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
According to him, the former ADC House of Representatives aspirant, who has experience in the petroleum business, said the subsidy regime was plagued by the diversion and misuse of public funds.
“During the subsidy regime, a lot of funds allocated to oil marketers were not going to the designated areas.”
” Funds were allocated to bogus marketers to transport oil tankers, but they ended up collecting the money without transporting any oil,” he alleged.
He further alleged that some petroleum tankers paid for under the subsidy arrangement ended up in neighbouring Niger Republic and Benin Republic, allowing other countries to benefit from funds meant to subsidise fuel for Nigerians.
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“Some oil tankers which were paid for under the subsidy regime ended up in neighbouring countries such as Niger and Benin Republic. This means other countries were benefiting from the subsidy that was meant for Nigerians,” Mustapha said.
“There are allegations that some depot owners were paid for imported petroleum products but failed to bring the products into the country. In some cases, they allegedly received payment before the imported products arrived in Nigeria”. He stressed.
The APC chieftain maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated courage by removing the fuel subsidy, describing the decision as necessary to address what he called longstanding corruption and inefficiencies in the system.
“President Tinubu was courageous and honest with Nigerians by removing the subsidy. Many Nigerian leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, know that the subsidy regime was marred by corruption, but because of political desperation, they do not want to tell Nigerians the truth,” he said.
Mustapha urged Nigerians to be wary of proposals that could return the country to what he described as a wasteful and corruption-prone subsidy regime, saying the focus should instead be on policies that would strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of citizens.
