Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday took a swipe at the antagonists of the planned removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government, describing them as enemies of the country.
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The governor also placed the nation’s woes at the doorsteps of the military and civilian administrations in Nigeria but did not elaborate.
Aliyu, who spoke at the inauguration of the new executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Abuja, accused the opponents of using the issue of subsidy to blackmail the government and other decision makers.
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The governor, who was the chairman of the occasion, said that the current fuel subsidy favoured a few powerful elements and organizations, which he accused of using the proceeds to perpetuate corruption in the country.
Aliyu said: “Only about ten people and organisations are enjoying that subsidy and the federal and state governments have agreed that it must be stopped but because those enjoying the money do not want it to? be stopped, they have gone round to blackmail and say that the price of petroleum will go higher.”
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He pointed out that the planned removal of fuel subsidy would not lead to higher prices in petroleum products as being speculated by labour leaders.
Only on Friday, labour leaders and the leadership of the National Assembly clashed over attempts by the officials to protest the planned removal of fuel subsidy.
The governor decried the federal system of government, describing it as being skewed in favour of the federal government to the detriment of the states.
?The governor stated that there was no need for the federal government to take more money than the states since the latter had more needs to address than the centre.
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He lamented the high level of insecurity in the country, blaming the emergence of the Boko Haram sect on the failure of education and the parasitic attitude of Nigerians.
The governor said that insecurity was borne out of the inability of many Nigerians to have access to education.
“We must do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of students and that is why we introduced free education in Niger State,” he said.
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The new NANS President, Comrade Dauda Mohammed, called on the Federal Government to implement the 26 per cent budget allocation to the education sector as recommended by UNESCO and the protection of the right of Nigerian students.
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