Subsidy removal: Nigerians yet to see dividends – Ogun APM gov candidate

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Ogun State, Rotimi Babajide, has criticised the impact of the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal, saying Nigerians are yet to see tangible benefits from the policy despite the sharp increase in petrol prices.

Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta on Saturday, Babajide said Nigerians were currently buying petrol at between N1,400 and N1,500 per litre without experiencing corresponding improvements in their living conditions.

“The bottom line is subsidy, we are not seeing the dividend. We are buying fuel at 1,400, 1,500 right now. Nobody’s enjoying it,” he said.

The APM candidate also criticised the use of the expression “Are they mad?” by a governor while commenting on the subsidy issue, describing the remark as inappropriate for a public official.

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“For me, I believe that word is derogatory. That’s foul. That shouldn’t be heard from a leader of such magnitude,” Babajide said.

Babajide also pledged to declare a state of emergency in Ogun State’s education sector if elected governor in the 2027 general elections.

The town planning expert said the proposed declaration would be aimed at urgently addressing what he described as the decline and retrogression in the state’s education system.

“If elected by the grace of God come May 29, 2027, I am going to declare a state of emergency in education because the education that our forefathers had brought to us, the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Tai Solarin, Professor Wole Soyinka, Ransom Kuti, and so many others, we can see a decline, a serious decline and retrogression in our education sector,” he said.

He clarified that the proposed state of emergency would not involve the use of force, curfews or restrictions, but would represent urgent government intervention.

Babajide said his administration would deploy digital tools and modern facilities to improve teaching and learning and help Ogun students compete internationally.

He also cited the performance of a Nigerian student at an international competition as evidence of what could be achieved when students receive adequate support.

“We have to look at all of that and close up those lacuna and ensure that we use digital tools, current facilities, you know, to train our children,” he said.

On his plans to work with former Ogun governors Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, Babajide said discussions were already ongoing with Daniel and that he hoped to meet him.

He said the experience of former governors could be valuable to his administration and that he intended to bring former political leaders into his team.

“Because from Ogun East, he has the experience, he has the expertise as a former governor, and there’s things to always gain from him, and support as a father,” Babajide said.

He added that his objective was to work with experienced political leaders to build support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The APM candidate also expressed support for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, saying he believed the governor had the capacity to lead Nigeria at the national level.

Babajide pointed to developments he attributed to Makinde’s administration, including waste management and internally generated revenue, as evidence of his performance.

He also dismissed concerns that Makinde’s possible emergence could undermine the South’s aspiration to produce Nigeria’s president, saying political parties and groups could form a coalition at the appropriate time.

Babajide said the coalition would be used to protect the South’s political interests, adding that parties would come together “at the appropriate time, in the fullness of time.”

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