The Senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministries, Adewale Giwa, has described those commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the removal of subsidy, as hypocrites and enemies of Nigeria.
The man of God stated this while addressing the congregation in church, in Akure, Ondo State capital, on the state of the nation on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
He wondered why people defend the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit to N500, N550 per litre as a normal thing after the removal of the oil subsidy by the President on May 29, 2023.
The cleric asked how poor the people and unemployed citizens are expected to survive in such a situation.
“Tinubu took the mantle of leadership as 16th president of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.
“In his inaugural speech after the swearing-in, the president completed the removal of the fuel subsidy started by his predecessor with his controversial, “fuel subsidy is gone” statement.
“Currently, fuel price has jumped to between N500 and N550 per litre from N187 pre-May 29.
“Despite its oil riches, Nigeria is unable to refine crude locally to meet demands.
“The four state-owned refineries are moribund, forcing the country to import refined petroleum products which are then sold at a price fixed by the government.
“President Tinubu also signed the Electricity Bill and Students’ Loans Bill into law, and also sacked security chiefs and replaced them with officers drawn from many geo-political zones of the country and religious affiliations.
“Those praising the president are gullible enough to believe that selling a litre of petrol at N550 is good for the country where people are surviving without jobs.
“You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stay there. Where are the refineries that are functioning in Nigeria?
“How many of us can boast that we have jobs that can help us confront these challenges that we face in Nigeria? It is senseless to remove fuel subsidies without alternatives.
“How can you be praising someone who sacked services chiefs and replaced them with officers that he can work with? If you were in his position, won’t you do the same? Can you work with those you cannot trust?
“Don’t worry, if President Tinubu does something that can touch the lives of common Nigerians positively, I shall commend him. For now, he needs no commendation.
“Things are getting worse day by day. I hope he finds a lasting solution to the issue of fuel price hike before it’s too late,” he started.