According to the report from the Sun, Dr. Jonathan Asake, former President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU) and 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Kaduna State has voiced concerns over the lack of visible impact from the removal of fuel subsidies under President Bola Tinubu's administration. According to Asake, claims that the government's economic reforms are yielding results are disingenuous.
Addressing the issue, Asake questioned the government’s transparency regarding the utilization of funds saved from the subsidy removal. “The Finance Minister, Wale Edun, stated that the federal government has saved about N20 billion from subsidies. However, the same government is applying for N2 billion loans from Bretton Woods institutions. What sense does that make?” he remarked.
Asake continued, “They are capitalizing on Nigerians’ ignorance. Many citizens, frustrated and disillusioned, no longer pay attention to governance. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be discussing saving billions from subsidies while still borrowing heavily. What have they used the subsidy savings for? Nigerians cannot see the impact.”
He further criticized the administration for continuing a borrowing tradition established under former President Muhammadu Buhari. “This government inherited a reckless borrowing culture and has shown no results or projects to justify these loans. Since 2015, we’ve been led by governments that act with impunity, disregarding the mandate of the people.”
Dr. Asake also highlighted the ongoing protests in Northern Nigeria against proposed tax reforms, labeling them a reflection of societal laziness. He argued that sustainable development requires collective responsibility and advised political stakeholders to focus on equitable leadership.
Commenting on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asake suggested the party prioritize inclusivity in its plans for the 2027 presidential elections. “If the PDP truly wants to regain power, it must look towards the South East for its presidential candidate. Ignoring this region’s aspirations will be a grave mistake,” he asserted.
Asake painted a grim picture of the socio-economic landscape, lamenting the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. “You see men abandoning their families because they cannot cope with the pressure. Families are losing their dignity, and yet government officials boast about saving subsidy money while mortgaging our future with more loans. It is tragic,” he said.