Adegbite urges FG to empathise with Nigerians, retain oil subsidy

The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Steven Adegbite, has joined the growing numbers of Nigerians who oppose the proposed N2.4 trillion palliative for 40 million poor citizens to enable the government to move forward with the removal of oil subsidy.

Adegbite called on the Federal Government to consider a lot of impoverished Nigerians who could no longer afford three square meals and lay to rest the inconsiderate removal of oil subsidy.

Adegbite who made the statement in Ikeja while addressing newsmen, decried the insensitivity of the government on what Nigerians are passing through at this time with its insistence on removing the subsidy which will invariably increase the sufferings of the already traumatised Nigerians.

“You can imagine the policy on deregulation which the Federal Government is aiming at effecting very soon.

“They are telling us that they will realise N1.8 trillion and roll out palliative of N2.4 trillion to 40 million poor Nigerians. The question is: does that make sense or who is the government fooling?

“The best bet is to leave Nigerians alone who have enough to chew as a result of their sufferings from the hands of kidnappers and other bandits, as it is certain that at the end of the day, the so-called palliatives will not get to five per cent of Nigerians or those the government is fooling us that they designed the palliative for, but end up in the pockets of leaders, who do not fear God,” he said.

Adegbite, who also lamented the sufferings of Nigerians in the hands of bandits who incessantly kidnapped little children, said the time has come for the body of Christians and Muslims to come together to fight bandits who are their common enemy, adding that though attack on Christians is more, attack on Muslims cannot be denied.

He called on the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute Gumi without further delay describing him as a terrorist fronting for other terrorists, adding that Gumi is an enemy of Nigerians by all standards.

Though he commended the Federal Government for its prompt action in getting bandits who opened fire on some innocent market women in the northern part of the country, he remarked that government needs to find out what is wrong with the Nigerian Army that had successfully gone out to defend and restore democracy in some African countries, including Liberia. He wondered what has become of it that it cannot overpower the less armed bandits that are having a free day in Nigeria with the government paying them ransom.

Adegbite urged Nigerians to keep trusting God to eventually restore peace to the country, adding that year 2022 is a year of hope and peace.