Reps hail Tinubu on proposed subsidy removal, ask Nigerians to be patient

The house of representatives has commended President Bola Tinubu over his decision to discontinue the petrol subsidy regime.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution commending Tunubu during the plenary session on Tuesday after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Jimoh Olajide from Lagos.

While delivering his inaugural address on Monday, Tinubu said “petrol subsidy is gone” because the immediate administration did not make provision for such in the 2023 appropriation.

Tinubu commended his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari for “phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor”.

Speaking on the motion, Olajide said the funds that should be used for subsidy would be channelled to other development issues.

The lawmaker said Tinubu’s policy would favour the “downtrodden”.

He told his colleagues to support Tinubu to “deliver dividends of democracy” to Nigerians.

“H asked for it, he campaigned for it and he is ready for the task ahead,” he said.

“The tutor-general of Nigerian politics is concerned about the masses and has the meaningful objective to utilise Nigeria funds appropriately with budgetary reforms agenda on education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, food, security and above all security of lives and property as embedded in the constitution.”

The resolution was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Femi Gbajabiamila, the presiding officer.

The house congratulated Tinubu and appealed to “Nigerians to remain patient, resilient and prayerful so that the President can deliver on his promises”.

THE BACK AND FORTH

After the motion was passed, Ugonna Ozurigbo, a lawmaker from Imo, raised a point of privilege, demanding that there should be a debate on the motion due to its significance.

“I think it is very important that you should give us a little time to discuss and express our feelings on this motion that was brought on,” he said.

But responding, Gbajabiamila said the gavel has been hit noting that the matter could be raised at a different time during plenary as a point of relevance.

“There is no breach of privilege, we have hit the gravel. We cannot go back,” he said.

“As we go along, anyone that wants to speak on the issue of subsidy — I am giving the leeway even though it would fall on the sword of relevance.”