Ologbondiyan: Subsidy Removal, Naira Floating Brought Nigerians to Their Knees 

Chuks Okocha in Abuja 

A former spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has criticised the Bola Tinubu administration for removing the fuel subsidy and floating the naira, saying both decisions had brought the country to its knees.

He spoke as a special guest on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief on Monday’, saying, Tinubu would have embarked on phased removal of petrol subsidy, and then provide palliatives such as reducing fare on public transportation rather than subsidised rice for the masses.

His stance followed the meeting of the PDP governors over the weekend, where they called on President Tinubu to reform the economy, and also postponed the National Executive Council meeting until February 2025.

“Basically, I as Kola Ologbodiyan, subscribe to the ideas as laid down by the original founders of the party.

“For instance, let’s take the issue of the removal of subsidy, because what has brought Nigeria to its knees has been these two major decisions made by President Bola Tinubu, particularly on the subsidy removal and floating of the naira.

“But under the PDP leadership in the time past- I am aware that what we had was a phased subsidy removal, which also came with palliatives. The APC has said Nigerians should go and buy rice at N40, 000 per bag. 

“But the needs of Nigerians go beyond rice. So, I believe the policies could also be better if we have a public transport system where you and I won’t have to drive our vehicles at a subsidised rate.

“But the unfortunate thing as we are witnessing today is that we are paying lip service, even as PDP to engaging the sitting government on its reforms, to put forward alternatives.”