President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cited the inability of 27 states to pay workers’ salaries as part of his argument against returning to the fuel subsidy regime, which was scrapped three years ago by his administration.
Tinubu made the comment while receiving Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who visited him at the State House, Abuja, where he took a veiled swipe at the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over his promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected.
The President described the position of one of his opponents on subsidy as a sign of ignorance about governance and the economy.
Tinubu said that before he assumed office, many states were struggling to meet their salary obligations, with pensioners also affected.
He said this was an indication of the financial pressure on states and the need for governments to have enough resources to meet their responsibilities.
“I saw one of my opponents now, say he will go back to subsidy. I read it. That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy,” Tinubu said.
The President recalled the situation he met when he came into office, saying 27 states could not pay salaries and many pensioners were also being owed.
“Before I came here, 27 states are unable to pay salaries. Not to even talk about pensioners… salary of workers in your state. I know a man that raised… whose nickname half salary,” he said.
According to Tinubu, the financial difficulties faced by the states also meant that many of them had to depend on the Federal Government for support.
He said the situation affected the ability of states to carry out their responsibilities and provide for their people.
“They come to the federal cap in hand, unable to do anything. The salary you pay feed families,” Tinubu said.
The President also pointed to the responsibilities of state and local governments, stressing that a large part of Nigeria’s population depends on government services at those levels.
He said governments needed resources to provide infrastructure and improve services such as roads, housing, schools and hospitals.
“Where are the local governments? They are in the states. Where are the concentration of population? They are in the states,” he said.
Tinubu further explained that government spending also covers healthcare and the training of teachers and health workers, particularly to protect vulnerable Nigerians.
“Take out the president, regard every other person as common men, their families to feed, the infrastructure you embark upon on the road network, housing, school rehabilitation, hospital, healthcare pronouncements, resuscitation of healthcare, training of teachers, training of health workers to protect our vulnerable families, it’s part of your responsibility,” he said.
Atiku had earlier said he would restore fuel subsidy if elected president, a position that has drawn criticism from Tinubu.
The former vice president has argued that removing the subsidy contributed to the rising cost of living and increased hardship faced by Nigerians.
Tinubu, however, used the financial challenges he said states faced before his administration came into office to argue against a return to the subsidy system.
Cc: Nigerian Tribune