Atiku’s fuel subsidy plan risks reviving corruption – Kebbi APC chieftain

An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Kebbi State, Aminullah Mustapha, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to reintroduce fuel subsidy if elected president.

Mustapha, a former African Democratic Congress, ADC, House of Representatives aspirant, made the remarks in a statement issued to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

He alleged that the former subsidy regime was characterised by the diversion and misuse of public funds, including payments to some oil marketers for petroleum products that were allegedly 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.

Mustapha further alleged that some petroleum tankers paid for under the subsidy arrangement ended up in neighbouring Niger Republic and Benin Republic, allowing the countries to benefit from funds meant to subsidise fuel for Nigerians.

“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,” he said.

He also alleged that some depot owners received payments for imported petroleum products but failed to bring the products into Nigeria, with some allegedly receiving payment before the products arrived.

Mustapha said the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu was necessary to address what he described as corruption and inefficiencies associated with the previous 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,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to scrutinise proposals to restore the fuel subsidy and consider their potential implications for public finances and the economy.