Former minister criticizes abrupt fuel subsidy removal
The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has leveled sharp criticisms against President Bola Tinubu regarding the administration’s economic policies.
Speaking during a recent interview on Channels Television, Dalung asserted that the President did not fully grasp the intricate workings of the government when he announced the end of fuel subsidies. He argued that the decision, made on the very day of the inauguration in 2023, lacked the necessary institutional consultation required for such a monumental shift.
Dalung suggested that the move reflected a significant gap in the leadership’s understanding of the complex nature of the Nigerian state. He maintained that a policy of this magnitude should never have been a “one-man” decision delivered without a fully constituted cabinet. According to the former minister, the absence of a wider government structure at the time made the announcement premature and technically flawed.
Poverty of ideas cited in subsidy withdrawal policy
During the televised discussion, Dalung described the justification for the subsidy removal as a demonstration of a “poverty of ideas and knowledge.” He challenged the notion that withdrawing the subsidy was the only viable option available to the new administration to save the economy from collapse. The ex-minister insisted that in governance, there are always multiple alternatives that could have been explored before choosing the most drastic path.
He argued that by singling out subsidy removal as the primary solution, the government revealed a potential bias or vested interest in the policy. Dalung emphasized that the administration’s failure to present or consider other fiscal strategies has directly led to the current economic hardship faced by millions. He believes that a more nuanced approach could have mitigated the inflationary pressures that followed the May 2023 declaration.
Dalung highlights failure to tackle subsidy fraud
A major point of contention for the former minister was the government’s perceived inability to hold “subsidy cabals” and fraudsters accountable. Dalung pointed out that previous investigations by the National Assembly had already established clear cases of fraud and identified indicted companies. Instead of pursuing these criminal elements, he claimed the government chose to punish the general public with a sweeping price hike.
The Plateau-born politician characterized the “subsidy has been withdrawn” statement as a de facto “endorsement of fraud.” He questioned why the Federal Government would rather eliminate a social safety net than prosecute those who had been siphoning national resources for years. In his view, the real challenge was never the subsidy itself but the deep-seated corruption within its management system.
Timing of announcement questioned due to lack of cabinet
Dalung further faulted the timing of the announcement, noting that on inauguration day, the Executive arm of government was essentially non-existent. He reminded the audience that at that specific moment, only the President and the Vice President had been sworn into office. Without a Federal Executive Council (FEC) or a Minister of Petroleum, the announcement lacked the benefit of technical and legal vetting.
The former minister argued that the complex nature of Nigeria requires broad consultations before implementing policies that affect the cost of living so drastically. He suggested that the President’s “subsidy is gone” gaffe was a sign of overzealousness rather than a calculated administrative step. This lack of a structured decision-making process, he claimed, has been a recurring theme in the current administration’s governance style.
Growing opposition and the struggle for economic stability
The remarks by Solomon Dalung mirror a growing sentiment among some political observers and civil society groups regarding the “Renewed Hope” agenda. While the Federal Government continues to defend its reforms as necessary for long-term growth, the immediate impact has been a sharp rise in transportation and food costs. Critics like Dalung maintain that the government must do more to transparently show where the “saved” funds are being redirected.
The debate over the subsidy remains a central theme in Nigerian politics as the country approaches the middle of the Tinubu administration’s first term. As opposition figures continue to scrutinize the presidency’s economic intelligence, the pressure remains on Abuja to deliver tangible relief. Dalung’s outspoken nature ensures that the conversation around government transparency and institutional integrity remains at the forefront of national discourse.
