Femi Adesina, former spokesperson for ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has explained that Buhari chose not to remove the fuel subsidy during his tenure because of its potential impact on ordinary Nigerians.
In a tribute marking Buhari’s 82nd birthday on Tuesday, Adesina highlighted that the former president’s decisions were guided by his deep concern for the poor and underprivileged citizens.
Adesina acknowledged that Buhari’s administration was aware of the significant financial burden the fuel subsidy placed on the country but said the president prioritised the welfare of the masses.
He described Buhari as “ore mekunu,” a Yoruba phrase meaning “friend of the poor.”
Citing an example, Adesina recalled how, during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Buhari instructed the then minister of finance Zainab Ahmed to ensure timely payment of workers’ salaries and pensions.
This decision, Adesina noted, reflected Buhari’s empathy and determination to ease the financial hardships faced by Nigerians during the pandemic.
“The Big Elephant in the room. Removal of fuel subsidy. Did you think the Government didn’t know that the money guzzling monster had to be slain? It knew,” Adesina wrote.
“But who ensured that subsidies remained as long as it did? Buhari. And why? The people, the ordinary people. His argument was always simple:
“When oil sold for at least 100 dollars per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as 140 dollars per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”
“By the time the administration ended, all, including the three main presidential candidates, were resolved that oil subsidies had to be removed.
“It was not unlikely that President Buhari shared the same conviction. But something that would throw society into a tailspin? He didn’t want to do it—for the sake of the ordinary people.
“Ordinary people gravitate towards Buhari, like bees to the honeycomb. That was why he always had a basket of millions of waiting votes, even before the first ballot was cast.
“He clobbered the ruling People’s Democratic Party in 2015, and won with even larger votes in 2019, despite all attempts to denigrate and demarket him. When you love the ordinary people, they love you in return, and stand with you through thick and thin.
“Now almost two years into retirement, get to Buhari’s house today. And you see the people milling around, just wanting to get a glimpse of the man.
“As he turns 82 December 17, 2024, I salute the Ore Mekunu, a friend of the poor, who still draws the people like magnet, even in retirement.”
