ABUJA – Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has defended the administration’s stance on fuel subsidies, stating that the government has remained truthful about its policies.
Onanuga addressed the ongoing fuel subsidy debate in Nigeria through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, amid a growing controversy regarding the country’s fuel supply and pricing.
Responding to recent media reports accusing the government of misleading the public about fuel subsidy payments, Onanuga stated, “I have read a series of articles attacking the Federal Government for not telling the truth about fuel subsidy payments, following NNPC Limited’s admittance it was owing suppliers some $6 billion.”
He added, “Since then, subsidy provisions have disappeared from the budget. It was not in the Supplementary budget of 2023, not in the 2024 budget, and the amended 2024 budget.”
He criticised the recent headlines suggesting a return of fuel subsidies as “giddy” and “not justifiable.”
Instead, Onanuga praised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) for its efforts to absorb the rising costs of petrol and shield Nigerian consumers from the impact.
LEADERSHIP reports that the country has faced fuel-related challenges, including long queues, fuel scarcity, and price hikes.
The NNPC’s admission of financial difficulties due to the high supply costs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has further fueled concerns about potential fuel price increases, exacerbating the economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.
