Political commentator Mahdi Shehu has accused the Federal Authorities of utilizing the removing of the gas subsidy to guard corruption relatively than remove it.
In a submit shared on X on Wednesday, Shehu described the coverage as “the most important rip-off, theft and corruption within the historical past of Nigeria,” drawing comparisons between previous subsidy funds and up to date spending claims by the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted (NNPCL).
He famous that the entire gas subsidy for 2021 and 2022 amounted to ₦5.7 trillion over the 2 years mixed. Nevertheless, he questioned NNPCL’s declare that it spent ₦17.5 trillion from January to December 2025 to safe oil pipelines.
“Subsidy removing didn’t curb corruption, it nurtured and guarded it,” Shehu wrote.
He additionally argued that regardless of the subsidy removing, Nigeria continues to rely closely on borrowing.
“Even with the so-called subsidy removing, we nonetheless preserve borrowing to cease borrowing,” he stated.
Shehu additional alleged {that a} highly effective group is benefiting on the expense of bizarre Nigerians.
“From all intents and functions, we’ve a clique, cartel and cabal whose foremost intention is to pauperise 250 million individuals and ultimately destroy Nigeria,” he claimed.
“Disgrace, Massive disgrace within the primitive thieves with thievery constituting 100% of their pathology.”
Politics Nigeria remembers that Tinubu introduced the removing of the subsidy on petrol instantly after he was sworn in on Might 29, 2023.