A former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has said the announcement of petrol subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu on the day of his inauguration was “a little bit precipitous.”
Mr Fayemi stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday.
He said the announcement did not give enough room for the federal government to prepare for the effects of the policy.
The former governor also acknowledged that the Tinubu administration inherited a “challenging” economic situation and that the policies initiated were appropriate.
“The government that is in office now inherited a challenging situation.
“We are not unaware of where we have come from because it is the same party that transitioned into the current government.
“I think there were some missteps, not policy changes, that were wrong.
“I actually think the policy changes were appropriate, but the announcement at the inauguration day was a little bit precipitous and did not allow for enough room to prepare the ameliorating circumstances that would address the challenges that were bound to come in terms of inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and foreign exchange convergence. from then, we have gone downhill.”
The former minister said the federal government has recognised the challenges and is working towards improving the situation.
“You can see that the government recognises that, and they are trying to address that to the best of their ability.But the reality must also be confronted that”, he added.
He noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot absolve itself from the “deleterious” economic situation Nigerians are grappling with.
“The Nigerian people, in a democracy, have the last word. If they are not happy with our political party, they have to take the decision on that front.
“I believe things will improve. If things don’t improve, Nigerians deserve what they want to do with us.”
