Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the Federal Government has reintroduced petrol subsidy through covert means.
Recent media reports suggest that the monthly subsidy payment amounts to nearly N1 trillion, surpassing the monthly payments made during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
In a statement issued on Monday in response to reports by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Shaibu claimed that the Nigerian Government has resumed paying petrol subsidy.
He argued that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has not been remitting the required amount to the government’s account due to funds being diverted under a secretive subsidy regime.
Shaibu criticized former Governor Bola Tinubu, accusing him of falsely claiming credit for removing petrol subsidy.
He pointed out that despite Tinubu’s claims, there is still a significant disparity between diesel and petrol prices in Nigeria.
He concluded by stating that with the apparent return of petrol subsidy, oil marketers have withdrawn from the market, leaving the NNPC as the sole importer of petrol once again.
The NNPC has announced that it will not increase petrol prices regardless of fluctuations in international crude oil prices and exchange rates.
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