Fuel subsidy is a sham throughout the world – Hon. Bukola Ojuade, APC Chieftain
Honourable Bukola Ojuade is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and a former Councillor in Kuduru Ward, Bwari Area Council of Abuja. In this interview with JELEEL OLAWALE, the APC stalwart speaks on myriad of national and political issues, his confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Excerpts:
What is your take on the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
Subsidy is a sham throughout the world. Any country that is paying subsidy on fuel, it’s like you are mortgaging the life of people or defrauding people. I am personally in support of fuel subsidy removal.
All the three candidates in the last general elections promised to remove fuel subsidy. The best is what President Bola Tinubu has done on the subsidy he removed. Let the subsidy be at the same level with international market.
But the Labour unions kicked against subsidy removal asking Federal Government to revert to old fuel price.
The Labour unions are fighting for their own interest. They are asking government to increase workers’ salary since the government has removed the subsidy. And that is the way government can listen to them through protest and strike which the unions have suspended.
The unions may not understand how it works but as time goes on, everybody will enjoy it. Workers’ salary will be increased as well. We need to endure short pain for long gains. It will be hard at the beginning but things will normalise as soon as possible.
Will the hike in fuel not affect low income earners?
The percentage of civil servants in the country is not up to 10 per cent of the population of people in the country. The fuel subsidy removal will not affect price of commodities in the market. It is a process and a matter of getting it right. Some State Governments have been rolling out palliatives to cushion the effects.
Let’s allow subsidy to go, then we will enjoy the dividends soon. It will be hard now but we will all enjoy it. I am sure, we will enjoy it. Let’s exercise patience. He will get it right.
Do you truly think subsidy fund will be used to develop infrastructure and not end up in the pocket of some high profile individuals?
The way the President is handling things now shows that he really understands the business of governance. He has achieved a lot in the last few days he assumed office. The Federal Government has promised to roll out palliatives to cushion effect of subsidy removal.
I am sure Federal Government will use the subsidy fund for the provision of social amenities like electricity, road, water, education among others. Let’s give the government between six to seven months and see what will happen.
I have confidence in Tinubu’s Government. I believe in him. He will not disappoint us. He will use money from subsidy to invest in infrastructure. I want to appeal to people to give him a chance and see what he will do.
The Federal Government has been planning palliatives for people and is headed by the Vice-president, Kashim Shettima. There will also be palliative committee in each state to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on people.
How will you assess the President’s first few days in office?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s few days in office have been perfect. He has been making series of re-organisation to give his government good direction. We are waiting for his Ministerial list which will give his government proper direction. By the time we see his list, we will know how his government will look like.
But I’m very sure, Tinubu will get it right. The appointment he has been making is perfect.Those people he appointed are well experienced individuals who understand the art of governance. The present appointments he made showed that he is ready for governance.
What type of cabinet should we be looking out for in terms of appointment of people into government?
Whoever the President is going to appoint must have the interest of the people at heart. Such individuals should understand the needs of the people. They should not be professional politicians but seasoned technocrats.
It should be mixture of seasoned politicians and technocrats. They must be those that understand the needs of grassroots. The party members will enjoy the government but they must see to society first. The President should ensure that he makes use of technocrats in his cabinet.
A cross section of Nigerian allege the President is planning to favour Muslims than Christians in his government, what is your take?
The issue of religion should be jettisoned in our body polity if we want development. This has been dividing us ever since. Development knows no religion. I don’t see lopsidedness in the present government. What should be paramount to us is the interest of the country. Religion is just a way of life.
What should be our priority in this country either Muslim or Christian is how to set the country on right path. So, religion should not be basis for development. Let our people enjoy social amenities and have dividends of democracy.
Even if it is Muslim/Muslim, Christian/Christian and Traditional/Traditional, the most important thing is to take the country to the promised land.
What do you think should be President’s major agenda for the country?
The President’s priority should be security. No investor will come to Nigeria if the country is not secure. Nobody will invest in a place that is not secure. If security is good, other things will equally follow.
When there is no kidnapping and other forms of insecurity are curbed then the business environment will be conducive. Foreign investors will come to the country to invest if there is security of life and property.
The President needs to hold meetings with different sectors and individuals to understand the state of various ministries. He needs to consult with people first. He must put the structure in place before he rolls out his agenda. He must first put structure in place and understand present status of government before he could commence.
And the President’s health status?
The President’s health status is good. Nothing is up with him. This was what people were saying about former President Muhammadu Buhari, yet he is still alive today. It is a tactic of the opposition parties. His state of health is good and sound. He is fit to govern the country. The President is fine and does not complain of any health related issue.
Your assessment of PDP government in Osun State in the last few months?
The government has done nothing. There is nothing on ground to show performance. The Governor does not get it right. Though, APC is on recess but we are going to return to power very soon.
We are watching his ability to develop the state. We will know when he is one year in office and they will tell us his achievement so far. It is too early to criticise him now. Let’s wait when he will be one year in government.
The Governor has received monthly allocation from the federal government while the electoral battle lasted and court case should not be used as albatross of his under performance.
Governor Ademola Adeleke did not prepare for the office he found himself today. When he assumed office as Governor, he started issuing executive order to stop most of the last administration’s appointment and policies.
A 38-year old speaker was elected as 8th speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, what is your take?
Age has nothing to do with performance. Many people within his age bracket have governed states and held different political offices and they performed well.
He should surround himself with vast people with better ideas. He should not allow wrong people to use him.
If you look at the composition of the 8th Assembly members, it consists of young people. The members may be rubber-stamping of the executive. They don’t have legislative experience required to make laws for the state. But they will get it right with time.
The APC is in the opposition in the state, what kind of criticism will the party provide?
We will provide constructive criticism on policies and programmes of the government that are not good for the people in the state. We will criticise them and advise appropriately. The opposition party will assess policies at all time and respond appropriately.
What is the state of APC in the state?
The party is on the path of reconciliation. We are trying to settle our differences and build a formidable front. We are putting heads together to reconcile the party in the state. The party will soon return to power in the next four years.
Former Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola asked for forgiveness and there is nothing bad in it. This is for the progress of the party, nothing wrong with that. The reconciliation is a gradual process. I hope the party will remain one in the state.
The future of the party is bright. The party is on recess which in next three years, the party will return to power.
Advice for the President and Nigerians?
The President should be focused, not minding what people are saying. He should not listen to cabals. He should see everyone as equal irrespective of religion, ethnic and party affiliation. He should ensure that everybody benefits from the dividends of democracy.
Nigerians should support the president to deliver on his programmes. They should pray for him to succeed in his quest to take the country to enviable heights.
