From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has warned that any attempt to reverse the fuel subsidy removal could undermine Nigeria’s economic policies and threaten fiscal stability.
The minister made the remarks in Calabar on Thursday during the commissioning of the Nigeria Chronicle, owned by the Cross River Newspaper Corporation.
He said any proposal to restore the former open-ended fuel subsidy regime must be carefully considered in view of its potential consequences.
“Any proposal to restore the old open-ended subsidy regime must therefore be considered against its consequences. Reversal would threaten fiscal stability,” Malagi said.
He added that such an attempt could further weaken the economy, reduce confidence in the government’s economic direction and jeopardise the long-term development gains Nigeria was working to achieve.
“The answer to the hardship associated with reform is not to dismantle reform; it is to accelerate its benefits,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to maintain confidence in the country’s democratic process and institutions as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
“Indeed, as we approach the 2027 general elections, Nigerians should also have confidence in our democracy and in the institutions established to protect it,” he said.
Malagi assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remained committed to ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
“The Tinubu Administration remains committed to a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process in which the will of the Nigerian people is respected. The relevant institutions must be allowed to discharge their constitutional responsibilities independently and professionally,” he said.
He also warned against using political competition as a means of creating division in the country.
“Political competition is an essential part of democracy, but it must never become an excuse to divide our country. Elections will come and go; Nigeria will remain,” Malagi said.
