In a recent interview with Channels TV, former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda made shocking allegations against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), accusing it of participating in a fuel subsidy scam alongside oil marketers. Yuguda claimed that subsidies were being claimed for non-existent pipelines, with falsified claims of pumping certain amounts of fuel. He revealed these details while discussing President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy.
Yuguda expressed his disappointment with the situation, stating, “I am sad to let Nigerians know what I saw; we came across situations where subsidy was claimed on pipelines that never existed.” Drawing from his experience as a former minister of state for transportation, he further explained, “Those that claim to pump the products and those that are in the subsidy scam, they just fill papers, invoices, and they claim subsidy on it.”
President Bola Tinubu had addressed the nation during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, announcing the abolition of fuel subsidy. He promised to allocate the funds to more beneficial areas for the Nigerian people. Tinubu referred to the subsidy as an elephant that was burdening the country and stressed the importance of not enabling smugglers or being overly generous to neighboring countries.
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy,” Tinubu emphasized. He defended the decision to remove the subsidy, citing the country’s inability to pay salaries and the need to prioritize Nigeria’s well-being. Tinubu assured the public that his administration operates an open-door policy, welcoming contributions from individuals to address the challenges ahead.
The allegations made by Isa Yuguda shed light on the concerns surrounding fuel subsidies in Nigeria, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the NNPC and the oil industry. As the government continues to navigate the aftermath of the subsidy removal, these revelations may trigger further investigations and calls for reforms to ensure a fair and efficient fuel distribution system in the country.
