By Egena Sunday Ode
Presidency has described criticisms of the President Bola Tinubu’s reforms policies by the opposition as mere gimmicks to get to power, saying that they have failed to offer any viable alternative to the policies.
Specifically, the presidency was reacting to statements made by the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidenrial election, Peter Obi, who in an outing on Arise television raised concerns over the utilisation of the money realised from the petrol subsidy removal by President Tinubu.
Obi in the television programme pointedly called on the Tinubu-led administration to account for the billions of money generated from the subsidy removal.
But the Presidency in its reaction said the former Governor of Anambra state lacked sufficient knowledge of economics and governance to be able to understand the dynamics of running a government.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, in his X handle (formerly Twitter), @BwalaDaniel said: “Is anybody watching @PeterObi on Arise TV? He agreed with our policy of removal of subsidy and unifications of the foreign exchange; he claimed he would have done it better than us in an “organized manner”
“He was asked what is the “organized manner” He played with words yet to arrive at agreeing with us.
“Anybody with rational mind knows these guys are just looking to grab power; but they don’t have any alternative agenda.
“He seems to have Very shallow knowledge of economics and governance
“Remember this is even an interview anchored by a member of his Obidient movement ohhh that’s why you don’t hear “I put it to you” no barking like a Rottweiler; Yet “if it didn’t Dey it didn’t Dey.”
Obi had in the Tv programme claimed that the unaccounted subsidy reoval resources runs into billions of revenue reportedly saved from the removal of fuel subsidy, and challenges President Tinubu to account for the money.
Speaking further, Obi had admitted that nothing was wrong with the removal of petroleum subsidy and floating of the naira, but said that he would have done the same if he were to be elected president.
He, however, argued that he would have implemented the policies gradually and in a more ‘organised’ way than the ‘haphazard’ way the Federal Government went about it.
Obi said, “I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy.
“If you go to my manifesto, it is there and the steps I would have taken in an organised manner.
“There is nothing wrong with the removal of the fuel subsidy.
“What is wrong is the haphazard way in which it was announced and implemented.
“Since we were told that we removed it because we don’t want to borrow and that the funds will allow for investments in critical infrastructure.
