The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the alleged secret payment of N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for the year 2024.
A viral document, Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), which the Federal Government disowned yesterday gave indications of the subsidy payment.
A statement issued by the president’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, said the viral document was unofficial.
The PDP’s statement came after repeated denials by APC leaders and government officials, who previously attempted to divert attention from the issue when it was raised by the opposition party on May 28, 2024.
However, the PDP, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, contended that the truth had finally come to light.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asserts that the scandalous revelation that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration is secretly paying a whopping N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for 2024 even after the President announced an end to fuel subvention further confirms PDP’s stand that the APC administration is a cesspit of corruption, lies and deceit.
“This revelation by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun shows the callousness of the APC administration which is forcing Nigerians to buy fuel at very exorbitant price of over N800 per liter in various parts of the country while trillions of naira is allegedly being paid as fuel subsidy into private bank accounts associated with corrupt APC leaders.
“Is it not provocative and an act of extreme insensitivity that while our nation is suffering from grave infrastructural decay and millions of Nigerians subjected to punishing hardship, acute poverty, life of misery and utter despondency by the removal of subsidy without cushioning measures, a staggering N5.4 trillion, in the name of fuel subsidy, is reportedly being cornered by corrupt APC leaders?
“While Nigerians are grappling with skyrocketing fuel prices, millions are suffering in poverty, and infrastructure is decaying, the APC government is allegedly funneling trillions of naira into private accounts of corrupt leaders under the guise of fuel subsidy.”
“President Tinubu must come clean and address the nation regarding this scandal,” demanded Ologunagba.
“Nigerians deserve to know where this enormous sum of money is coming from, who is receiving it, and why fuel prices remain exorbitant despite the alleged subsidy payments.”
The PDP is calling for an immediate public inquiry into the matter and urging President Tinubu to overhaul his economic team to curb corruption within the administration.
Additionally, they are demanding a review of economic policies that they argue are exacerbating the plight of Nigerians.
“The hunger and destitution in the land cannot be ignored,” emphasised Ologunagba. “President Tinubu must act swiftly to address the suffering of the people before it’s too late.”
