The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kebbi State chapter, has backed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his proposal to reintroduce fuel subsidy if elected president.
The party said a transparent and accountable subsidy system could help reduce transportation costs and the prices of essential commodities amid rising economic pressures.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Musa, the party said Nigerians were facing increased costs of goods and services, as well as transportation.
The Kebbi ADC argued that a subsidy regime free from corruption and abuse could reduce the financial burden on low-income households by lowering transportation and commodity prices.
The party said Atiku’s proposal was relevant to the current economic situation and expressed support for his position.
The statement came amid criticism from an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain and petroleum marketer in Kebbi State, Aminullah Mustapha, who opposed Atiku’s proposal.
Mustapha argued that restoring the fuel subsidy could revive what he described as corruption and abuse associated with the previous subsidy regime.
He alleged that funds meant for petroleum marketers were sometimes diverted, while some marketers were paid for products that were not delivered.
“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.
