,
10 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
1. In 2011 @GEJonathan realized that the fuel subsidy was a corrupt, unsustainable contraption, and sought to remove it.
2. At a Townhall with Govt, the private sector and labour in attendance, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi gave this prophetic warning:
2. At a Townhall with Govt, the private sector and labour in attendance, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi gave this prophetic warning:
3. Even @adams_oshiomole made an appearance to give his support to the difficult decision for removal of the subsidy. Like that biblical donkey that suddenly spoke with wisdom, he said:
“If [GEJ] doesn’t take this decision, Nigeria will crash. I think the time to act is now.”
“If [GEJ] doesn’t take this decision, Nigeria will crash. I think the time to act is now.”
4. Common sense Senator @benmurraybruce made a contribution, asking that if the fuel subsidy is removed, a transport subsidy be introduced along with a $500m fund to help transporters buy energy-efficient taxis & buses.
And yes, even back then Ben was championing electric cars.
And yes, even back then Ben was championing electric cars.
5. I won’t dwell on the #OccupyNaija protests; I won’t talk about the ignorance of the protesters or the cynical opportunism of the Opposition.
6. I’ll instead focus on the present. After kicking the can down the road, we’re back to square one: the removal of the fuel subsidy.
6. I’ll instead focus on the present. After kicking the can down the road, we’re back to square one: the removal of the fuel subsidy.
7. It wasn’t an ideological or partisan argument in 2011, it isn’t one now. It’s simply an economic argument: can Nigeria afford to pay for a corrupt & unsustainable subsidy?
8. The answer is still no. In fact, given the state of the economy & debt profile, things are worse now.
8. The answer is still no. In fact, given the state of the economy & debt profile, things are worse now.
9. I’m in support of the removal of the fuel subsidy. We told you guys Buhari would remove it after the elections. But even if @atiku wins in court, I’d also expect him to get rid of it.
10. This new APC subsidy is even more corrupt & opaque. No one knows what’s happening!
10. This new APC subsidy is even more corrupt & opaque. No one knows what’s happening!
11. I expect Labour & Civil Society to negotiate what the savings will be used for. I like @benmurraybruce’s short-term idea of a transport fund to lessen the impact of the removal, esp. on food prices.
12. Also the @NNPCgroup subsidy scam (that’s what it is) MUST be probed.
12. Also the @NNPCgroup subsidy scam (that’s what it is) MUST be probed.
13. So, my people, dead this idea of a protest just for the sake of it. Buy bicycles & comfy shoes. Aba makes really good, cheap ones. Ask @hartng.
14. Let’s hope Baba is even aware of the suffering the removal of the subsidy he previously said does not exist will cause.
14. Let’s hope Baba is even aware of the suffering the removal of the subsidy he previously said does not exist will cause.
15. So my dear friends in APC, feel free to collect contract to trend hashtag for something you aggressively opposed 8 years ago. Let’s pretend it is ‘growth’.
16. But what I will tell my brethren is that like the Resurrection, peace & prosperity will return. Once we get sense🙃
16. But what I will tell my brethren is that like the Resurrection, peace & prosperity will return. Once we get sense🙃
Happy Sunday!
Oh, and as I’m not the repository of all knowledge, is there anyone who thinks keeping the subsidy is a good idea? Share your thoughts.
Oh, and as I’m not the repository of all knowledge, is there anyone who thinks keeping the subsidy is a good idea? Share your thoughts.
