Nigerian Govt still paying subsidies — Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has accused the Nigerian government of continuing to pay fuel subsidies in secret, unaware of the fact that the average Nigerian is unaware of this. The activist pointed out that the subsidies are not just for petrol, but also for the naira's exchange rate, which is covertly maintained at a favorable rate against the dollar.

Sowore criticized the government for providing more benefits to the wealthy through waivers and customs arrangements, instead of assisting the less fortunate. He warned that the removal of subsidies would have adverse effects on the economy, such as weakening the naira's value and increasing poverty levels. Sowore emphasized that the naira's current value against the dollar is a result of secret subsidies, and questioned the government's need to conceal this information.

He argued that the benefits of subsidies are not primarily directed towards the poor, but rather, the wealthy who import goods and services. Sowore urged the public to stop spreading falsehoods about subsidies and to acknowledge that not all countries engage in subsidy practices.