Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has defended President Bola Tinubu's ₦8,000 palliative, stating that it means a lot to many poor Nigerians.
The palliative was proposed by Tinubu after ending the fuel subsidy regime, leading to fuel price hikes.
Governor Sule explained in an interview that while ₦8,000 may not seem like much to some, it can significantly impact the lives of those from very poor families who don't see such an amount every month. He emphasised the need to identify and assist these vulnerable families.
Furthermore, Governor Sule praised the previous ₦5,000 stipend for the poor during former President Muhammadu Buhari's regime, stating that many people were reliant on it for their basic needs. Some communities even pooled contributions to make a positive impact within their localities.
However, despite the proposed palliative, there has been criticism from the public due to the ongoing economic hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal. The high petrol price of ₦617 exacerbates the already difficult living conditions for Nigerians.
Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL), defended the price increase, attributing it to market realities and claiming it to be in the best interest of Nigerians.
As the debate continues over the effectiveness of the proposed ₦8,000 palliative and the soaring fuel prices, the government faces mounting pressure to find sustainable solutions to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.