Atiku’s Targeted Subsidy, CNG Buses And 30 Days Fuel Discount, by Nurudeen Dauda

I am highly pleased to note that, for the first time in many years from the return to democracy in 1999 our electioneering campaigns for 2027 general elections is becoming an Issue- Based -Campaign rather than the usual years of unfortunate campaign of calumny especially, from 2014 through 2023 general elections.

The present Subsidy debate clearly shows that it is possible as well as doable for commuters in Nigeria to get cheaper transport fares. It also shows that healthy political opposition is a necessary ingredient in democracy and is badly needed in Nigeria. Nigeria has waited for too long for Good governance due to weak political opposition.

In my thought, we do not only need cheaper fuel for commuters to their various places of works or businesses, but also cheaper fuel for heavy duty cars and manufacturers for cheaper goods. High cost of energy has a direct effect on food inflation. We need cheaper fuel for manufacturers and heavy duty cars in order to beat down the cost of food. It is important we also debate Subsidy for manufacturers and heavy duty cars.

At least for now there is serious debate on Fuel Subsidy and or the economy which has a direct effect on the general welfare of Nigerians, especially the poor men rather than the usual discussion on unfortunate issues; such as: Zoning, region, religion, Turn – by- turn, certificate, age of a candidate, and or the health of a candidate etc. In my view, there are more serious issues to debate on; such as: the Economy, Security, Jobs, Poverty alleviation, health, education, and electricity etc.

In the recent past our political campaigns at all levels have been more of campaigns of “calumny”, “slander”, “smear”, and “character assassination” instead of Issues -Based. It is an incontrovertible fact that insecurity, inflation, unemployment, illiteracy, and poverty are the main issues in the polity. These problems do not discriminate among Nigerians based on either “zone” or “region” or “religion” and or “tribe”.

We really need a healthy political opposition in our political system in order to keep the government on its toes. The government must be alive to its responsibility. The promised made by former Vice President Alh. Atiku Abubakar to restore a targeted fuel Subsidy if elected come 2027 got different reactions from the Tinubu administration. These reactions are indeed good for democracy. Nigeria are better for it.

For three years no one was there to keep the government on its toes. This shows that had the oppositions parties were alive to their responsibilities Nigerians would have had the opportunity to enjoy cheaper transportation system from 29th May, 2023 , but for weak and or lack of strong political oppositions here we are.

Healthy political opposition is a necessary ingredient in a multi party democracy. From 1999 to date weak and or absence of strong political oppositions from the federal to other levels of government is partly responsible for the governance failure we have been witnessing. This is why Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford to live under a one party democracy and or a unitary democracy. We dearly need a vibrant political opposition at all levels in Nigeria for good governance.

The Tinubu administration had earlier on announced its plans to provide a cheaper transportation system for commuters in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum using the Compress Natural Gas (CNG) Buses across the country from 1st October, 2026 as a counter reaction to the campaign promise made by former president Abubakar. The Tinubu administration has now introduced a 30 days Fuel discount and or Subsidy through the NNPC LTD mega stations across the nation. We are now witnessing a very interesting electioneering campaigns period which are Issues -Based

Our electorates in the past at all levels seem not to bother about candidates’ economic policies or ideology and or model which are very critical in influencing voters in other climes. You need to stabilize the economy for you to stabilize the polity. The voters need to know which way forward? Capitalist ? Or Socialist? Or Welfarist? And why will each be preferred to one another?

In my view, we need leaders who based on their track records of achievements have the “ability” to tackle the problems of insecurity, inflation, unemployment and poverty which do not discriminate among Nigerians regardless of their so-called differences.

The electorates must be aware of the fact that It is not just enough for politicians to identify failures. Identifying failure is neither something very difficult nor a rocket science. In fact is it the easiest thing to do by all and sundry. The dullest person in the society could identify a failure, but only the most competent can provide innovative solutions.

We need politicians with innovative solutions. It is high time we challenge all candidates at all levels to provide their policy documents, programmes, and blueprints so that we could compare notes. We must continue to ask our politicians to tell us how to turn things around so that we could compare notes.

For us to get it right, we must shun voting based on “sentiments” or “emotions” and or “anger” and or “personal gains”. The electorates should know the track records of achievements of all politicians canvassing for their votes.

May God bless Nigeria!

Nurudeen Dauda, Kaduna State.