ABUJA, Nigeria – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to publish the spending details of the fuel subsidy.
SERAP has demanded transparency regarding the use of the N400 billion allegedly saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy, and has threatened to initiate legal action if the president fails to comply within four weeks.
The ultimatum was made public through SERAP’s Twitter account on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
The tweet read: “BREAKING: Subsidy removal: We’ve urged President Tinubu to widely publish spending details of the N400 billion saved in four weeks from the removal of subsidy on petrol, or face legal action.”
President Bola Tinubu had announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
He asserted that the funds previously allocated to fuel subsidies would be redirected towards infrastructure projects in critical sectors such as education and health.
The removal of fuel subsidies has been a contentious issue in Nigeria.
While some argue that it’s a necessary step to ensure economic stability and allocate funds to more critical sectors, others worry about the impact this might have on fuel prices and the cost of living for the average Nigerian citizen.
SERAP, as a civil society organization focused on promoting transparency and accountability, has taken the stance that the public has the right to know how the funds saved from the removal of fuel subsidies are being utilized.
The organization has demanded that President Tinubu provides detailed accounts of the spending.
As of now, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to SERAP’s demands.
Transparency and accountability in government spending have been longstanding issues in Nigeria, and SERAP’s move reflects growing public concern over how government funds are managed.
Should the government fail to respond within the stipulated timeframe, SERAP has vowed to seek legal recourse.
This developing story highlights the ongoing struggle for government accountability and transparency in Nigeria.
