Fuel Subsidy Savings: Obi has shallow economic knowledge, governance – Presidency

The Presidency on Monday fired back at the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, over his remarks on how President Bola Tinubu has handled proceeds from the removal of fuel subsidy, accusing the former Anambra State governor of lacking depth in economic and governance matters.

This came after Obi appeared on Arise News, where he questioned the government’s handling of the billions reportedly saved from the controversial subsidy removal.

While Obi acknowledged that removing fuel subsidy and unifying the exchange rate were necessary steps, he argued that the Tinubu administration carried them out in a disorganised and haphazard manner, insisting he would have approached them differently if elected president.

Obi said, “I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy. If you go to my manifesto, it is there and the steps I would have taken in an organised manner.”

“There is nothing wrong with the removal of the fuel subsidy. What is wrong is the haphazard way in which it was announced and implemented.”

“Since we were told that we removed it because we don’t want to borrow and that the funds will allow for investments in critical infrastructure. Billions saved. Where is it? Where is it invested in critical areas of development?”

Reacting swiftly, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, took to his official X handle to take a swipe at Obi, accusing him of playing politics with serious national issues and lacking any viable alternative plan for the country.

Bwala wrote, “Is anybody watching @PeterObi on Arise TV? He agreed with our policy of removal of subsidy and unifications of the foreign exchange; he claimed he would have done it better than us in an ‘organised manner’.”

“He was asked what is the ‘organised manner.’ He played with words yet to arrive at agreeing with us.”

“Anybody with rational mind knows these guys are just looking to grab power; but they don’t have any alternative agenda. He seems to have very shallow knowledge of economics and governance.”

Bwala also suggested that Obi enjoyed a favourable atmosphere during the interview because it was anchored by a journalist sympathetic to his Obidient movement, claiming that tougher questions were deliberately avoided.