With the federal government hinting about subsidy removal, former Emire of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi speaking on Saturday in Kaduna at a Kaduna Investment programme, themed, ‘Building a resilient economy.’ said he feels pity for the next president of Nigeria.
Sanusi said the country’s economy has been tied to the oil and gas sector, and subsidy removal is fast mitigating the economy’s growth.
Read his speech;
“Nigeria has continued to be a rentier state. It does not exist for development but as a sight of rent, and extraction to make those who control the state rich turning them into billionaires overnight.
“In 2023, if we have an election, we cannot continue to have the trend. Because any continuation will lead to insecurity and might get us to Mali, Burkina Faso’s situation. We can’t keep pushing towards the brink; we have to come back.
“Debt service is now 108 per cent of revenue. Every naira the Federal Government earns goes to service debt and it is not enough, (as the FG) has to borrow to service the debt. And then begin to borrow to build roads, pay salaries and overheads.
“We are leaving a mountain of debt for our children. They (children) might curse us because we are taking all the money borrowed to subsidise petrol and enjoy it cheaply.
“We see the problem and we are going to continue. I’m sorry for the next president who comes in June and says I’m removing fuel subsidy after day one,” he said.