Author: Editor

NSUKKA, Enugu — Three years after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dramatic declaration that “Subsidy is Gone,” a federal lawmaker has delivered a blunt verdict: the removal of fuel subsidy was the most patriotic act by any Nigerian president since our independence. But the social safety nets meant to cushion the poor and vulnerable are badly broken with what he called a disconnect between cause and effect.

Rt. Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo (FCA), Member representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, made the assessment in a public lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on 14 October, 2026. Titled, ‘Three Years of Post-Subsidy Removal: Evaluating the Socio-Economic Effects of Nigeria’s Deregulated Downstream Sector’, the address mixed strong defence of the reform with sharp criticism of poor delivery of palliatives.

The Shock Decision That Broke the Cabal

Agbo recalled the moment on 29TH May 2023 when Tinubu, midway through his inaugural speech, suddenly announced the end of the decades-old fuel subsidy. “The clause of declaration was not part of the speech,” the lawmaker said. “Not even a confidential secretary or staff had any idea.”

The result, he argued, was immediate: the powerful subsidy cabal was caught off-guard, smuggling collapsed, phantom consumption figures that once claimed 60 million litres a day fell to around 40 million, and the path opened for private refining. Dangote Refinery, a $45 billion investment, is now supplying the domestic consumption and exporting to the rest of the World, becoming the largest suppliers of aviaton fuel ATK, to the whole of Europe.

“The stranglehold on the nation was removed. Nigeria could breathe again,” Agbo declared.

Fiscal Windfall and Growth

The lecture painted a picture of transformed public finances. Agbo said subsidy removal alone is saving government about ₦700 billion monthly, while exchange-rate unification adds another ₦600 billion. Combined, the reforms have produced at least ₦1.3 trillion in monthly distributable revenue for the three tiers of government.

World Bank figures cited in the lecture show real GDP growth rising from 3.5% in 2024 to 3.9% in 2025 and 4.2% in the first half of 2026. Federation revenues grew 69% in real terms between 2023 and 2025. Federal government’s capital expenditure has been held at an impressive 70% of the budget for three consecutive years — up from 25–30% previously. This has enabled the funding of projects such as the Coastal Road, major highways across the country, and the national gas grid.

States, Agbo noted, have cleared salary and pension arrears, and launched ambitious capital programmes. Enugu State was singled out as a model: its budget ballooned from ₦167 billion in 2023 to ₦1.617 trillion in 2026; internally generated revenue jumped more than 1,000%, and capital spending consistently exceeded 80% of the budget.

The Human Cost

The lawmaker did not sugar-coat the pain. Petrol prices more than doubled in the first month after removal. Transport fares, food costs and generator expenses soared. Small businesses and low-income households bore the heaviest burden. “A lower inflation rate does not mean prices have returned to their old levels,” he cautioned. “Households whose incomes have not caught up remain under serious pressure.”

Palliatives That Missed the Mark

Agbo reserved some of his strongest language for the implementation of NG-CARES, the World Bank-supported social intervention programme. Despite hundreds of billions of naira released to states for cash transfers, public works, agric support and MSME grants, “there is still a loud cry of government neglect.”

He blamed the low enthusiasm of states, arising from a misconception of the fundng structure, for a por delivery of reliefs to te target low income groups.

The House Committee on NG-CARES has opened a full investigation under its constitutional oversight powers.

To fix the problem, Agbo announced that the committee is preparing a bill to establish a permanent NG-CARES Commission. Funding would come directly from a percentage of the reform savings, not exceeding 10%, charged to the federation’s consolidated revenue, rather than placing the financial burden on the states.

He listed other measures by the Federal government to relieve the plight of the poor to include the increase in minimum wage to ₦70,000, the NELFUND student loan scheme, CREDICORP consumer credit, accelerated CNG adoption (with Enugu’s bus fares on the Nsukka route falling from ₦3,500 to ₦1,500), rapid solar adoption, and the HOPE series of World Bank-backed programmes for health, education and governance.

International Lessons and a Permanent Social Contract

Drawing on experiences from India’s Direct Benefit Transfer and employment guarantee scheme, China’s productive poverty reduction, and Brazil’s Bolsa Família, Agbo insisted that temporary cash handouts are not enough. “Permanent reform requires permanent institutions of social protection,” he said. “A country cannot build an enduring social contract on occasional distributions alone.”

He ended with a firm declaration: “Subsidy is gone, and gone for good!” The last three years, he concluded, have been a period of sacrifice, resistance from vested interests, and hard-won progress. There will be no return to the old system.

The lecture, delivered to an academic audience at the Premier University in the heart of the South-East, is expected to fuel national debate as lawmakers prepare the new social intervention bill and as households continue to feel both the gains and the lingering pains of Nigeria’s most consequential economic reform in our generation.

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Legislative Matters, Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor, has called for stronger collaboration between local government chairmen and legislative councillors across the state’s 17 local government areas to improve grassroots governance and service delivery.

Nnajiofor said a strategic and result-oriented partnership between the executive and legislative arms of local government administration was essential to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountability and accelerating sustainable development.

He made the call in a press release, while advocating a governance framework anchored on mutual respect, constructive engagement and adherence to the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of both arms.

According to him, effective local government administration depends not merely on the existence of the executive and legislative arms but on their ability to work together while respecting their distinct mandates.

He noted that legislative councils play critical roles in lawmaking, representation, oversight and articulating the needs of communities, adding that these responsibilities could be better discharged through peaceful collaboration and productive engagement with the executive.

Nnajiofor cautioned against unnecessary rivalry, political differences and institutional competition between local government chairmen and councillors, urging both sides to prioritise the welfare of the people.

Calls for Regular Consultations, Capacity Building

The governor’s aide advocated regular consultative meetings between local government chairmen and legislative councils to improve policy coordination, legislative effectiveness, budgetary cooperation and the implementation of approved development programmes.

He explained that such engagements would enable the executive to communicate its policy priorities while allowing councillors to contribute through constructive legislative interventions, responsible oversight and effective representation of their constituents.

Nnajiofor also called for capacity-building programmes for councillors and relevant local government officials to strengthen their understanding of legislative procedures, public financial management, oversight responsibilities and democratic accountability.

He said stronger institutional capacity would enable legislative councils to scrutinise public policies more effectively and ensure that government programmes reflected the actual needs of residents.

Partnership to Support Mbah’s Development Agenda

Nnajiofor urged local government chairmen and councillors to align their governance practices with the broader development vision of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

He said government policies should ultimately be assessed by their impact on citizens, particularly in improving living conditions, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening public institutions and promoting inclusive development.

The former lawmaker urged elected representatives across the state to embrace measurable results, responsible leadership, institutional stability and people-oriented service.

“The ultimate objective of governance is the welfare and development of the people. When the Executive and Legislative arms work together strategically, respect their respective mandates, and maintain open channels of communication, the result is stronger institutions, better policies, greater accountability, and more tangible development outcomes for our communities,” he stated.

He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting constructive engagement, institutional cooperation and a deeper understanding of legislative governance in support of Enugu State’s development agenda.

Nnajiofor concluded by urging stakeholders to work towards a governance system in which cooperation strengthens democracy, accountability builds public confidence and effective leadership translates government policies into visible and sustainable benefits for residents.

Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Big Tent Coalition for Obi/Kwankwaso has faulted a THISDAY newspaper report suggesting that Peter Obi was absent from policy discussions ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the former Anambra State governor had consistently presented alternatives to address Nigeria’s challenges.

The coalition, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Communications, Charles Odibo, on Thursday, also demanded that the newspaper publish its response with the same prominence as the original report.

THISDAY’s October 14 edition carried a lead story titled, “2027 Presidential Poll: Atiku Brings Tinubu into Policy Debate, Obi Missing.”

However, the coalition described the report as misleading, arguing that Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had repeatedly addressed national issues through interviews, television appearances and other public engagements.

It maintained that the candidate had presented policy proposals on electricity, economic production, insecurity and healthcare, adding that his positions were available for public scrutiny.

On electricity, the coalition said Obi had advocated increased investment in power generation, reforms of transmission and distribution infrastructure, and decentralisation where necessary to improve supply and attract private investment.

The group said his proposed economic approach centred on shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to one based on production, with greater investment in agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and value addition.

It added that Obi had also called for incentives for productive businesses, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and the removal of barriers limiting local production.

On insecurity, the coalition said Obi supported intelligence-led operations, community engagement and the use of technology to protect lives and livelihoods.

It stressed that farmers must be able to return safely to their farmlands, arguing that the country needed practical security measures rather than repeated political promises.

The group also highlighted Obi’s advocacy for stronger primary healthcare services, preventive care and investment in basic health infrastructure, describing them as essential to improving public health and productivity.

The coalition further cited Obi’s October 11 criticism of the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol price reduction at NNPC Retail outlets, which it said he considered a temporary intervention with limited reach.

According to the statement, Obi questioned the impact of the discount, noting that about 900 NNPC Retail stations represented less than four per cent of an estimated 24,000 petrol stations nationwide.

The coalition said Obi had argued that support measures should extend beyond petrol prices to critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure, with the aim of reducing the cost of living sustainably.

In the statement titled *“Right of Reply: THISDAY’s False Narrative on Peter Obi: Nothing Could Be Further from the Truth,”* the group said the newspaper’s report gave readers the impression that Obi had failed to engage with pressing national issues.

It urged the media to ensure that political reporting reflected candidates’ positions accurately and provided voters with balanced information ahead of the election.

The coalition said it expected THISDAY to publish its response with the same front-page visibility given to the original report.

“We, therefore, demand that THISDAY Newspaper afford this ‘Right of Reply’ the same front-page prominence and visibility that it gave to the original story,” the statement said.

It added that Nigerians deserved policy debates based on facts rather than selective accounts of candidates’ public statements.

**Tags:** Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, 2027 Elections, NDC, Big Tent Coalition