04 January 2016, Kaduna — Two National Assembly members, Senator Danjuma La’ah (Southern Kaduna), and Honourable Yakubu Umar Barde (Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency), have questioned the rationale behind calls for fuel subsidy removal, saying it is unjust, diversionary and political.
Making the remarks in Kafanchan at the official unveiling/conference of the Youth Patriotic Front of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State chapter, argued that it was hypocritical that those calling for removal of subsidy today vehemently opposed during the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
La’ah said he supported fuel subsidy removal earlier, but noted that it was now a different thing because the intention of those calling for it was not sincere. “During the PDP era and earlier before now, we clamoured and struggled for the removal of fuel subsidy, but it was not supported by those clamouring for it today. The question we should all ask ourselves is: What is the motive behind the call for subsidy removal now?”
“The question I want to ask is whether, with the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the cartel that has been enjoying the fuel subsidy has been removed. The answer is no,” Barde stated.