Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has raised serious concerns about the Federal Government’s lack of transparency regarding fuel subsidy payments. George’s remarks come in response to President Bola Tinubu’s recent nationwide broadcast, where the president defended the removal of fuel subsidies as necessary.
During a press conference held at his Lagos office, George condemned the secrecy surrounding Nigeria’s oil sector. He urged the government to be transparent about its dealings, especially concerning fuel subsidies.
“In the oil sector, we hear one day that there’s a subsidy, and the next day, there isn’t,” George said. “Nigerians deserve to know the truth because they are not being properly informed about what is happening.”
In March 2024, former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda revealed that the federal government was still paying subsidies on petroleum products. A month later, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated that the government was now spending even more on fuel subsidies than before. This conflicting information has only added to the confusion.
George criticized the inconsistent messaging from government officials and questioned the silence of key figures in the oil sector. “Who is the Minister of Petroleum?” George asked, referencing a recent statement by Mele Kyari, who indicated he would speak on the issue at the “right time.” George responded, “When is the right time? As an elder statesman, I can’t just keep quiet.”
George expressed concern about the impact of the government’s lack of transparency on the younger generation, who he described as increasingly restless. “What is happening in the north reflects the restlessness of the youth,” he noted. George urged the government to engage with the public, particularly the youth, to prevent further unrest.
The former PDP chairman also addressed a controversial land deal between billionaire Aliko Dangote and the Lagos State government. He questioned whether the local community benefited from the $100 million paid for the land in Lekki, where Dangote’s refinery is located. “Which of my people in Lekki has benefited from that money, or did the government just take the money while displacing the local community?” George asked.
George attributed the recent protests across Nigeria to the government’s failure to adequately communicate its policies to the public. “What happened last week is just the tip of the iceberg,” he warned. “The truth will come out one day. People protested out of frustration because they are not receiving feedback from the government.”
He emphasized that it is the constitutional duty of government officials to keep the public informed. “Citizens elected these leaders into power. It’s their right to receive regular updates on what is going on,” George said.
Source: Sun News
