APC chairman, Adamu says Nigerians in difficult moment over fuel subsidy removal

Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has admitted that the removal of fuel subsidies is creating a difficult and challenging situation for the people of Nigeria.

Yesterday, he made these remarks at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, during a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the governors, under the umbrella of the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by its newly elected Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. The meeting was organized by the newly elected Chairman of the PGF, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.

The 10 governors in attendance were Imo, Uzodimma, Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, Niger, Mohammed Umar Bago, Kaduna, Ubah Sani, Gombe, Mohammed Inua Yahaya, and Kebbi, Nasir Idris.

Adamu told the governors that they have emerged at a very difficult time, confessing that the removal of the fuel subsidy will be very challenging for Nigerians, particularly the state governors where it matters the most. Adamu also admitted that the removal of the subsidy will be very challenging for the international community.

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In addition, he assured them that the party will not only provide them with every necessary support that will help them succeed, but he also told them to be prepared to carry their crosses in their respective states. He said this at the same time that he told them to be ready to carry their crosses.

Adamu shared his thoughts by saying, “For us, anything that we want to say to you is adherence to the manifesto as much as you can.” You represent those who wave the flag of the party, and it is expected that whatever you do, you will keep in mind the manifesto that the party gives the country. We have a general framework for the governance of the country, and you represent those who fly the flag of the party.

“You, as the chief executive officers of the states, are required to implement this manifesto; however, there are certain peculiarities, there are certain priorities you are required to have set, and you are obligated to do as much as you can to live up to the expectations of those who voted for us.

“You have arrived at a very difficult time, and we are in the midst of a very difficult circumstance. Even with the timing so, of the lifting of the fuel subsidy, this is going to be a very special challenge for us, and particularly for you because you are where it matters the most. Even with the timing so, of the lifting of the fuel subsidy. As a result of national politics, you are the shock absorbers in the many different states that make up the federation. You are one of the community members. You share your morning routine with other people and go to work alongside them. It is expected of you that you will be able to have a better understanding of the difficulties they face as citizens of this country. As a result, as governors of the federating units of this great country, you will be held to a very high standard of accountability.

“Insofar as the party is concerned, we are prepared to provide you with any and all forms of cooperation you may require. Turn to us whenever you find yourself in a bind, and we will provide you with the most sound guidance we are able to muster. But regardless of what we decide to do with you, you are the one who will be walking around in those shoes and will know exactly where the pressure points are.

“The first two years will be dedicated to actual governance. You won’t even notice it, but before you know it, you’ll be done with the tribunals, it will be close to two years, and you’ll start to see flyers, posters, and billboards, as well as publications in newspapers. In our democratic system, this has been a long-standing tradition, which may or may not be a good thing. It is imperative that we be prepared for that. Therefore, you cannot afford to lose any more time.

“It is to your good fortune that you have a president who will pay attention to what you have to say. He has arrived with identical urgency and yearning to complete the delivery. So, you are lucky. But whatever you decide to do, you must not forget that you are the one who will carry your cross.

“As a political party, we will not stand in the way of a productive programme,” the speaker said. “I ask that if this happens, someone bring it to our attention so that we can put a stop to it,” he said.

Adamu explained the reason for the postponement of the meeting as follows: “It has been our intention to have the opportunity of receiving our governors immediately after the gubernatorial and states Houses of Assembly elections. However, the meeting was postponed.” However, almost immediately after those elections, our newly elected president left the country and was gone for approximately five weeks.

“Before we held such a significant meeting as the one with the governors and the party, we decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if he were present on the ground. It took the wind out of our sails when the issue of power distribution in the National Assembly was already a hot topic by the time he got back, and by that point, the space was already buzzing with discussion about it.

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“So we got engaged trying to see how best we can reach some understanding and before we got over that, we had inaugural activities and we are better placed now to settle down, to invite our governors,” he said. “So we got engaged trying to see how best we can reach some understanding.”