My 2015 Opposition To Fuel Subsidy Removal Not Applicable Now — Ajulo

Critics using the position of renowned lawyer and rights activist, Dr. Kayode Ajulo as yardstick for opposing the recent oil subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu has been condemned by the activist.

Ajulo, who was honoured by the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari with Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), said his disposition to the subsidy removal in 2015 was as valid as his current disposition.

He noted that, though as the National Secretary of the Labour Party(LP) in 2015 he opposed the attempt by Tinubu in 2015 at the 10th remembrance event of the Late Professor Bala Usman to lobby the then President Muhammadu Buhari to remove subsidy in 2016, he currently agreed to the outright removal of the subsidy because the nation has gone through some metamorphoses.

Some people who are opposed to the recent subsidy removal had referred to the legal icon’s position on the issue in 2015.

Ajulo noted that his position on the subsidy removal was hinged on the realities on ground in the country, which he said necessitated the subsidy removal to save the country from outright financial collapse.

According to him, “I think every discerning mind should appreciate the President for exhibiting strong will. I am personally saying this because he has remained committed to his advocacy on subsidy removal since 2015. He unequivocally campaigned on the mandate without fear and he was voted by Nigerians with that in mind.

“I can say that the President meant well for Nigerians if only for the fact that he is resolute in his advocacy without the fear whose horse is gored.”

The lawyers said his comments on national issues are influenced by his passion for an egalitarian society and passion for the development of the country.

“I am not one of those people who comment on issues because it is the popular opinion and would make some quarters feel great. My positions on national issues are genuine and influenced by my unrepentant passion for the growth of the country.

“The lasting solution to subsidy lies in building refineries to reduce the logistics cost. Removing subsidy without measures to cushion for soft landing will amount to passing the sentence of sufferings on Nigerians except for Dangote Refinery which takes the position of Nigeria building one.

“The starting point to keep the prices of fuel down is for the government, which owns the crude to build its own refinery and allow others to market the distribution. It is in the distribution that wastage is managed properly because those that bought it for business will not allow any waste to be able to generate maximum profit from it.”

However, the legal luminary suggested that President Tinubu must, as a matter of urgency, stamp out corruption, nepotism and all criminalities from the system with a view to putting the nation on the right footing.