Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde has joined the conversation on fuel subsidy, declaring his Reset Nigeria campaign would ensure transparency across the petroleum value chain.
Makinde, at the official commissioning of his presidential campaign office in Abuja on Monday, said he would not restore fuel subsidy but “Nigeria’s oil must provide a real and measurable benefit to Nigerians.”
Although the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said he would restore fuel subsidy if he wins, but Makinde said his Reset Nigeria agenda is about how to make Nigeria work for the people.
“We are opening another door for Nigerians to join the conversation about the future of our country,” the Oyo State governor stated, and wondered why crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries should be priced as though Nigeria does not produce crude oil.
He proposed a system where the price at which crude oil supplied for domestic refining should be used in such a way that would be beneficial to Nigerians.
The APM candidate assured that there would be total transparency across the petroleum value chain, from production and domestic crude allocation to refining, transportation, distribution, taxes and retail margins.
“Nigerians should know what they are paying for, who receives what and where inefficiencies are increasing the final price. That is what it means to Reset Nigeria,” he explained.
Makinde said the Reset Nigeria is not a conversation among politicians alone, but involves every Nigerian.
“It must become a conversation in our homes, markets, schools, offices, farms, factories and communities.
“We want to hear from the trader who struggles whenever transport costs rise; we want to hear from the farmer who cannot afford to move produce to the market; we want to hear from the business owner whose costs rise every time the price of fuel changes.
“We want to hear from the young Nigerian who is working hard but can no longer see a clear path to a better life,” he stated.
The APM vice presidential candidate, Lawal Daura, called on opposition political parties to come together so as to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
“Agreeing to come together does not mean foolishness or smartness. It is a will to play politics, politics that will take Nigeria to greater heights, and politics that will enable Nigeria to become one great nation,” the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) said.
Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, described Makinde as a great mobiliser and a manager of resources who has turned Oyo State around.
The APM National Leader said the candidate will reset Nigeria if elected president in 2027, adding, “this is an opportunity to build a new Nigeria, where everybody, man or woman, young or old, will have the opportunity to actualise his or her aspirations.”
