Government Still Subsidising Naira, Fuel Under Different Name – Sowore

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that the Nigerian government is still subsidising petrol and the naira, despite its claim that fuel subsidy has been removed.

Sowore made the allegation during a programme on Arise Television on Tuesday, where he argued that the government had merely changed the name of the subsidy rather than eliminating it.

“It’s not that subsidy is bad, because there’s no country in the world that doesn’t subsidise its poor. In fact, the people that get the most subsidy in Nigeria are not the poor; it’s the rich,” Sowore said.

According to him, the government is not only subsidising petrol but is also “quietly and secretly” subsidising the naira in a bid to maintain its exchange rate against the US dollar.

“They’re subsidising not only petrol, because they don’t have enough and they can’t produce locally. They’re also subsidising the Naira. That’s one thing they will never tell you,” he alleged.

Sowore argued that the removal of fuel subsidy had contributed to the deterioration of the Nigerian economy and the depreciation of the naira.

“Immediately, you remove the subsidy. Look at where your economy tanked. Your Naira also went down the toilet,” he said.

The AAC candidate also criticised what he described as the government’s preference for “optics” and propaganda over addressing the hardship confronting Nigerians.

He said the country was facing severe food insecurity and poverty, while many Nigerians were struggling to afford necessities.

“Optics don’t feed people. Propaganda can’t feed people. People are dying in this country of hunger and starvation. People can’t afford to live,” Sowore said.

He further highlighted the growing financial pressure on Nigerians from relatives who depend on family members for survival, describing the situation as similar to what is known in the United States as “black tax.”

Sowore said the solution required a fundamental departure from what he described as the “old mentality” and policies that had entrenched poverty in Nigeria.

“We have to stop telling lies about subsidy,” he said, insisting that Nigerians needed “fresh ideas and fresh people” capable of transforming the country.

On the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Sowore said he would have preferred a debate involving the candidates rather than a town hall meeting.

“Our preference would have been for a debate, not a town hall. But we are aware most of the candidates are afraid and have a phobia for debates,” he said.

He urged the organisers of the town hall to ask critical questions and allow voters to assess the candidates based on their responses.

“We hope the organisers will ask the real questions and people can judge by way of listening to each of the candidates,” Sowore added.

He also said AAC governorship candidate, Esan Olajide, would participate alongside other candidates at the Arise News Town Hall.