N5bn palliative to states no solution to subsidy removal – APC Chieftain faults Tinubu

By Christiana Ekpa

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo has faulted President Bola Tinubu over the disbursement of ₦5bn as palliatives to reach the 36 states of the federation.

Oguntoyinbo, who is also the Obalodo-designate in Oye Kingdom, Ekiti State, said the disbursement process will not be in the best interest of Nigerians as some unscrupulous government officials will divert and expend a larger percentage of the fund on personal frivolities.

While hailing the President for the removal of fuel subsidy, he noted that the palliatives are temporary measures, adding that it will not go down the ladder to the “poorest of the poor” who should be the real beneficiaries of the package.

The APC leader said the fund should rather be diverted to revive local refineries which will bring an end to the current unbearable hike in the price of premium motor spirit (PMS).

He said, “Tinubu made the right decision by removing the subsidy. He must be commended for removing it in his first day and for taking the bull by the horns.

“The means of disbursement of the palliatives is not in the best interest of Nigerians.

“When they said 5bn will be disbursed to each state, there’s no way our leaders will not steal the money. The greatest part of the fund will go to the purses of those people in government.

“Tinubu should be able to think how to revive refineries. If they are brought on ground, Nigerians will benefit from it because Nigerians are suffering.”

Speaking on possible cabals in the administration of Tinubu, he charged the President to get rid of the vicious individuals as their actions and plans will only sabotage his efforts in making Nigeria great.

“These cabals will not allow Tinubu to function because they operate silently like they did to Buhari. They make more money by giving him wrong advises.

“He must monitor them, put them on surveillance and get rid of them in his administration.”

While commending Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his giant strides since assuming office, Oguntoyinbo tasked him to contrive ways of establishing industries in the state that will stand the test of time.

This, according to him will bring development to Ekiti and immortalize his legacy after he leave as Governor of the state.

“BAO has been trying by establishing good relationship with the people, making himself accessible to the people.

“I must commend him for reaching out to investors to invest in Ekiti but he should begin to think on how to put an industry in place for the development of the state”, he said.