Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has made startling allegations, claiming that the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government is subsidizing Nigerians' fuel.
Addressing journalists in Maiduguri, El-Rufai asserted that the government is now paying more for fuel subsidies than before, contradicting President Tinubu's previous declaration during his inauguration in May 2023 that fuel subsidies had been eradicated. El-Rufai pointed out the resultant skyrocketing fuel prices and economic hardship experienced nationwide since 2023.
He revealed that the subsidy had been reinstated due to the perceived ineffectiveness of support measures to mitigate its impact. El-Rufai emphasized that many are unaware of the subsidy's return and urged comparison of petrol and diesel prices as evidence. With diesel priced above ₦1,000 per liter and petrol at ₦600 per liter, El-Rufai argued that petrol should be more expensive if not subsidized.
He suggested that adjustments to the initial subsidy implementation led to its reinstatement. El-Rufai's claims have sparked debates over the government's economic policies and the implications of the resurgence of fuel subsidies under Tinubu's presidency.
