Former governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said the spontaneous announcement of removal of subsidy on petroleum products by President Bola Tinubu was hasty.
Recall that President Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy at his inauguration venue on May 29, 2023, which spike the prices of petrol and food items, among other household goods.
Reacting to the hardship on Nigerians occasioned the “hasty” announcement, barely a year into tge president’s reign, the former Ekiti State governor said the move was “a little bit precipitous.”
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Fayemi said the announcement did not give enough room for the federal government to prepare for the effects of the policy.
The former Minister of Solid Minerals Development, however, notes that the Tinubu administration inherited a challenging economic situation and that the policies initiated were appropriate.
According to him, “The government that is in office now inherited a challenging situation.
“We are not unaware of where we have come from because it is the same party that transitioned into the current government.
“I think there were some missteps, not policy changes that were wrong.
“I actually think the policy changes were appropriate but the announcement at the inauguration day was a little bit precipitous and did not allow for enough room to prepare the ameliorating circumstances that would address the challenges that were bound to come in terms of inflation.”
He said the federal government has recognised the challenges and is working towards improving the situation.
He further observed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot absolve itself from the negative economic currently facing Nigerians.
“The Nigerian people, in a democracy, have the last word. If they are not happy with our political party, they have to take the decision on that front.
“I believe things will improve. If things don’t improve, Nigerians deserve what they want to do with us,” he added.
