“2023 Elections Na Your Mate?” – Reactions Trail Suspension Of Petrol Subsidy Removal

Several reactions have trailed the suspension of fuel subsidy removal by the Muhammadu Buhari Government.

On Monday, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed that there won’t be fuel subsidy removal anytime soon due to perceived difficulties associated with it.

Ahmed made this known during a meeting with the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and other principal officers of the Senate in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

She asserted that the federal government initially had plans to remove subsidy in July, after which they made provisions in the 2022 budget to cushion the effect but noted that the timing has become a huge challenge.

The minister further stated that the decision can not be taken until some steps are taken to protect the interest of Nigerians.

Following the announcement, Nigerians have taken to social media to commend the government for listening to the agitations of the people, while others berated the Buhari administration for initially planning to remove the subsidy in July.

See some of the reactions below:

@nafeezi wrote: “Fuel subsidy is a fraud, but we are not ready to stop fuel subsidy for now. No fund was allocated to petrol subsidy in the 2022 budget yet petrol subsidy still get “paid”

“Opaque payments with zero accountability. Yahoo yahoo regime.”

@Sunday_Agunbiade wrote: “It because of 2023 election if APC wins next election Nigeria will suffer enh.”

@QDpaper1 wrote: “President Buhari govt suspends fuel subsidy removal. The government says it has realised the timing of its planned removal of petrol subsidy is “problematic”, and will worsen the suffering of Nigerians. This is highly commendable.”

@Hammedazy14 wrote: “Breaking: FG suspends planned Petrol subsidy removal. Can Nigerians expect a PMS pump price increment by next month according to the initial pronouncement?”

@eboayodeji wrote: “Always know that the removal of petrol subsidy in a pre-election year won’t be feasible. All eyes on the 2023 elections.”

@Ezxmuoh wrote: “All of you championing removal of petrol subsidy, better know that Petrol is what drives this economy, we don’t have power supply, if uan like make una dey dream of textbook theories wey no fit work for reality.”

@akinbusolaaa wrote: “Subsidy removal in itself isn’t the problem! Make electricity 24/7 and you’ll have less people experiencing the hardship from huge petrol pump price.”

@johnehi01 wrote: “Petrol subsidy removal was suspended as a result of 2023 elections because they know if they remove it, it might affect their chances of winning.”

@profarch01 wrote: “APC government and Buhari shouldn’t have suspended planned petrol subsidy removal. Shebi won feri werey ni?”

@FS_Yusuf_ wrote: “BREAKING: FG suspends planned petrol subsidy removal till further notice. This is happening after the lifting of #TwitterBan. Whether you like it or not, 2023 na mate?“

@profbiodun wrote: “We know it isn’t going to happen this year. But the best time is next year January when Dangote Refinery would have been producing in full capacity. No excuse!!! At least local production would help cushion the negative impact of the petrol subsidy removal. #PetrolSubsidy.“