The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina says it is not true that the Federal Government suspended the planned removal of subsidy on petrol for 18 months because of the 2023 general election.
Adesina stated this Wednesday as a guest on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” programme.
He said that the suspension of the planned removal was “a valid thing” to do, adding, “but is this done because of elections next year? No.”
The presidential aide went on to explain the reason for the suspension.
“It is done because as the Minister (of Finance) stated, the timing is not auspicious, inflation is still high. In the past eight months, we saw inflation reducing but the last month, it went up again; further consultations need to happen with all the stakeholders,” Adesina said.
According to him, the Federal Government’s suspension of the policy was not also done to ensnare the next presient.
“That was not the intention, the intention was also stated – the timing is not right, it will exacerbate the hardship of the people and the President genuinely cares,” the presidential spokesman said.
“Politics is a part of our lives, but elections will just be one event in the life of the country. When elections come, they go, the country continues. This fuel subsidy, whether it stays or goes, is going to have a serious impact on the economy,” Adesina stated.