Tinubu Bold for Removing Fuel Subsidy Without Hesitation, Says Gov Dikko
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as an act of boldness and political will in removing the fuel subsidy, a move previous administrations, including that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, hesitated to make.
Speaking during a public event on Wednesday, Governor Dikko shared personal insights from his interactions with the late former President Buhari, highlighting the challenges and fears that often accompanied discussions on fuel subsidy removal.
“Every time I met Buhari,” Dikko said, “he would tell me, ‘Go and do what you can, but only God can fix Nigeria.’ That shows how complex the country’s problems are. When it came to removing the fuel subsidy, even Buhari himself expressed concern. He wanted to do it but was always advised against it by close aides and experts.”
Governor Dikko went on to praise President Tinubu’s courage in implementing the controversial policy, which many view as necessary but politically risky.
“I pity Bola,” Dikko remarked. “Bola is a strong man for removing the fuel subsidy. Whenever I wanted to remove it, people advised against it. But he, without advice from anyone, removed it in one day. If he had sought advice from others, he would not have done it.”
The governor noted that while the subsidy removal has led to economic hardship for many Nigerians, it also marked a turning point in the country’s economic restructuring. He urged citizens to be patient, stating that reforms of such magnitude often come with short-term pains but long-term gains.
Dikko’s comments come amid continued national debate on the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, with some praising the administration’s decisiveness and others criticizing the lack of adequate cushioning measures for ordinary citizens.
As the nation grapples with inflation and rising cost of living, the Katsina State governor’s statement sheds light on the internal struggles leaders face in implementing unpopular but necessary reforms.
