Dare Babalola
Public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has criticised the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy, alleging that the move is designed to shield corrupt practices rather than eradicate them.
Shehu expressed concern that the policy has exacerbated economic hardship for Nigerians, while benefiting a select few.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Shehu described the policy as the biggest scam, theft and corruption in the history of Nigeria, while comparing past subsidy payments with recent spending claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
According to him, the total amount paid as fuel subsidy for 2021 and 2022 stood at ₦5.7 trillion for the two years combined.
He, however, questioned NNPCL’s claim that it spent ₦17.5 trillion between January and December 2025 to secure oil pipelines.
“Subsidy removal did not curb corruption, it nurtured and protected it,” Shehu wrote.
He further argued that despite the removal of subsidy, Nigeria has continued to borrow heavily.
“Even with the so-called subsidy removal, we still keep borrowing to stop borrowing,” he said.
He added, “From all intents and purposes, we have a clique, cartel and cabal whose main aim is to pauperise 250 million people and eventually destroy Nigeria.
“Shame, Big shame in the primitive thieves with thievery constituting 100% of their pathology.”
