Former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has condemned the President Bola Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, describing the policies as detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Ologbondiyan argued that a phased subsidy removal combined with effective palliatives, such as subsidised public transportation, would have been a more viable approach.
He criticised the administration for prioritising subsidised rice instead of addressing broader issues affecting Nigerians.
The former PDP spokesperson expressed dissatisfaction with the PDP’s lack of robust engagement with the government, saying more alternatives should be presented to address the country’s challenges.
His remarks followed a PDP governors‘ meeting over the weekend, during which they urged President Tinubu to reform the economy.
“Basically, I as Kola Ologbodiyan, subscribe to the ideas as laid down by the original founders of the party.
“For instance, let’s take the issue of the removal of subsidy, because what has brought Nigeria to its knees has been these two major decisions made by President Bola Tinubu, particularly on the subsidy and removal of the naira.
“But under the PDP leadership in the time past- I am aware that what we had was a phased subsidy removal, which also came with palliatives. The APC has said Nigerians should go and buy rice at ₦40,000 per bag. But the needs of Nigerians go beyond rice. So, I believe the policies could also be better if we have a public transport system where you and I won’t have to drive our vehicles at a subsidised rate.
“But the unfortunate thing as we are witnessing today is that we are paying lip service, even as PDP to engaging the sitting government on its reforms, to put forward alternatives,” Ologbondiyan said.
Since the removal of the petrol subsidy, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has surged from an average of ₦189 per litre in May 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, to over ₦1,000 per litre in recent months.