President Buhari Never Directed Fuel Subsidy Removal – Senate President

Nigeria’s Senate President Ahmed Lawan on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari had not directed anyone in his government to implement the removal of petroleum subsidy.

Lawan, who spoke with newsmen yesterday after a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the State House, Abuja Nigeria’s capital said he was in the villa to convey the feeling of his constituents on the planned fuel subsidy removal and other issues to the president.

However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) expressed support for the federal government’s plan to end fuel subsidy payments in the country.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had announced last October that the federal government made provision for petrol subsidy only for the first six months of 2022, as the government looked towards complete deregulation of the sector.

But commenting on the issue, Lawan said the federal legislators were worried about the different agitation and planned protests around the country, necessitating the discussion with the President.

According to him, the subsidy cannot be transferred to citizens even as he expressed doubts on the 100 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) said to be consumed per day in the country.

The Senate President said he was glad to inform Nigerians that Buhari had not told anyone to remove petroleum subsidy.