A former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, has said that former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to remove fuel subsidy to avoid criticism.
Akande said this in an interview on a Channels Television programme on Friday.
According to Akande, Buhari refrained from being publicly criticised after he removed it the first time and faced serious backlash while saying he was not pleased with the decision.
He said,
“Removal of subsidy between the time Buhari was elected president and the time he was inaugurated, we had several discussions, sessions, and meetings to see that the subsidy should be removed.
“And he was convinced. And I thought that as soon as he got to power, he would remove the subsidy, but I don’t know what happened.
“After his inauguration, he started being careful, slowing down until the first four years. So, at the beginning of his first term, he came out; he wanted to remove the subsidy, but the country reacted and he had to back out.
“So, from the beginning, I was uncomfortable with Buhari having the subsidy in his hand. The subsidy ought to have been removed in his time; by now, Nigerians would have been used to it, and it would have been smooth.”
Akande further stated that he expected the subsidy to be eliminated early in Buhari’s term.
However, he said he observed a change in approach after Buhari assumed office, with a cautious and gradual approach that continued into the first four years.
Akande noted that Buhari initially intended to remove the subsidy at the beginning of his first term, but public reaction prompted a reconsideration.