Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar has said an increase in the pump price of fuel will push millions of Nigerians into poverty.
General Abdulsalami, who was speaking at the 19th Daily Trust Summit
in Abuja, said the country is facing challenges on multiple fronts and a
hike in fuel price will only compound the situation.
According to him, the country’s rising unemployment or
underemployment level is impacting the security of the nation.
The former Nigerian leader spoke against the backdrop of plans by the
Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy which will see fuel go for
over N300 per litre.
In place of the subsidy, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, said the
government will give a stipend of N5,000 to 40 million poor Nigerians
to cushion the impact of the move.
