May 30, (THEWILL) – Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government expected fierce opposition to the removal of fuel subsidy from its beneficiaries, insisting that the country must do away with subsidy.
Shettima spoke on Tuesday, to State House correspondents after resuming work at the Presidential Villa.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rates.
He said, “The president has already made pronouncements yesterday on the issue of the fuel subsidy. The truth of the matter is that it is either we get rid of subsidy or the fuel subsidy gets rid of the Nigerian nation.
“In 2022, we spent $10 billion subsidising the ostentatious lifestyle of the upper class of society because you and I benefit 90% from the oil subsidy.
“The poor 40% of Nigerians benefit very little. And we know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade. We will get fierce opposition from those benefiting from the oil subsidy scam. But where there is a will, there is a way.
“Be rest assured that our president is a man of strong will and conviction. In the fullness of time, you will appreciate his noble intentions for the nation. The issue of fuel subsidy will be frontally addressed. The earlier we do so, the better.
“The issue of multiple exchange rates, we are going to collapse it into one. So these are two big elephants in the room and as the days go by we will be unveiling our agenda.
“He is going to unveil his agenda because as I have always said there can never be two captains on a ship.
“He is the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. I’m the vice president. Your relevance is directly proportional to the level of your loyalty to the president.
“This is a gentleman that I have known for well over a decade; that I have interacted closely with. Be rest assured that we are going to work harmoniously as a team, as a family, for the greater good of our nation.”
