Ibrahim Tajudeen Shola, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) advice to remove electricity subsidy, warning that such a move would worsen the suffering of the poor masses and could lead to serious chaos in the country.
In an open letter to the president, Ibrahim argued that removing electricity subsidy would burden the already strained finances of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those living below the poverty line.
The IMF had reiterated the importance of eliminating subsidies to redirect resources towards more targeted social welfare programs, citing the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
However, Ibrahim cautioned that the timing of such a proposal, amidst economic challenges like high unemployment rates, sluggish growth, and a depreciating currency, could spark widespread social unrest.
He highlighted recent protests in Minna and Kano States, where Nigerians expressed frustration over economic hardships, and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in resource allocation to avoid undermining efforts to reform the sector.
Ibrahim called on the government to ensure that those who divert funds meant for infrastructure development face the full wrath of the law, stressing the importance of addressing the concerns of the populace to avoid further discontent.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate