An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Osun, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, to desist from making promises that are capable of causing chaos in the country.
Oyintiloye, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, said all the campaign promises made by Atiku, Obi and other presidential candidates were unrealistic, going by Nigeria’s current economic realities.
He said the promise by Atiku and Obi to restore fuel subsidy was unrealistic as all organs and tiers of government in the country have already adjusted to life under the current regime of no subsidy on oil.
“It is practically impossible to think of returning Nigeria to the era of fuel subsidy.
“Alhaji Atiku and Mr Obi should be mindful of the implication of whatever promise they are making to get attention of Nigerians.
“The Presidential candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, also promised to peg the pump price of petrol at N300 per litre if elected. How is realistic is that?
“I appeal to the opposition candidates to be truthful to themselves and stop deceiving Nigerians. Majority of their promises are nothing but a recipe for public chaos,” Oyintiloye said.
The former Osun lawmaker, noted that fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms introduced by the President Bola Tinubu administration had driven major fiscal adjustments, although they had also placed considerable pressure on households and businesses.
He said increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) had given state governments greater financial flexibility to meet their obligations, execute development projects and address infrastructure and social-service deficits.
He urged opposition candidates to support the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the economy or adopt alternative campaign strategies rather than promise what they won’t be able to do.
“Presently, salaries, wages are based on the post fuel subsidy removal earnings of the government. With the restoration of fuel subsidy that these candidates are promising, will the wages and salaries be reviewed download too?
“What will be the earrings of state at the wake of fuel subsidy restoration? What become of several ongoing projects of government awarded based on its current earnings? Nigerians are wiser,” Oyintiloye further said.
The APC chieftain however called on state governors to demonstrate accountability by translating increased revenue into better roads, improved healthcare, stronger food production, regular payment of salaries and pensions, and more employment opportunities.
According to him, citizens expect tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than increases in government revenue without visible benefits at the grassroots.
He also urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts to ease the current economic burden on vulnerable households, curb inflationary pressures, expand employment opportunities and improve purchasing power.
He also implored Nigerians to assess the Federal Government’s economic reforms objectively, expressing optimism that they would eventually yield positive results for the benefit of all.
