Nigerians React to Tinubu’s Plan to Pay N8,000 Monthly to 12 Million Households

Nigeria’s new President Bola Tinubu has announced a bold plan to pay N8,000 monthly to 12 million poor and low-income households for six months as part of his palliative measures to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.

Tinubu, who took office on May 29, 2023, has faced criticism and protests over his decision to scrap the petrol subsidy, which has led to a sharp increase in the prices of petrol products, food, and transportation.

The former Lagos governor has defended his move, saying that the subsidy was unsustainable and wasteful, and that the government had better plans to address the needs of the citizens.

On Thursday, Tinubu wrote to the Senate seeking its approval for an $800 million loan from the World Bank to fund his social safety net programme.

According to his letter, the loan will be used to expand the coverage of shock-responsive safety net supports for vulnerable Nigerians and the cost of meeting basic needs.

He explained that under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the federal government will transfer N8,000 a month to 12 million poor and low-income households for a period of six months, with a multiplying effect on about 60 million individuals.

He said that the transfers will be made digitally to beneficiaries’ accounts and mobile wallets to ensure transparency and accountability.

He added that the programme will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector and improve nutrition, health, and education outcomes for beneficial households.

He urged the Senate to grant approval for the loan facility, saying that it was in line with his administration’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

Tinubu also asked the House of Representatives to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act to provide N500 billion to fund palliative measures against the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

He said that he had extracted N500 billion from the N819 billion supplementary budget, which was originally meant for capital projects due to the impact of floods on farmlands and road infrastructure.

He said that he hoped that the House would consider his request expeditiously.

Tinubu’s plan has received mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some have praised him for his courage and vision, while others have questioned his sincerity and feasibility.

Some have also expressed doubts about his health condition, as he has been dogged by allegations of corruption and ill-health throughout his presidential campaign.

Tinubu is Nigeria’s fifth president since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999. He won a tightly contested election with 37% of the votes, making him the president elected with the least vote-share since 1999. He is also Nigeria’s oldest president at 71 years old.

Meanwhile, the PDP chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, accused Tinubu of being hypocritical and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, especially the poor and vulnerable, who are bearing the brunt of the fuel subsidy removal.

He said that Tinubu was one of the leaders of the opposition who protested against the same policy in 2012 when former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to remove the subsidy.

Onuesoke wondered why Tinubu changed his stance now that he is in power, and why he did not consult widely with stakeholders and Nigerians before implementing the policy.

He said that Tinubu’s plan to pay N8,000 monthly to 12 million households was a mockery and an insult to Nigerians, who deserve better living conditions and social services.

He said that N8,000 was not enough to cover the basic needs of an average Nigerian family, especially with the rising cost of food, transportation, health care, and education.

Onuesoke also questioned the source and sustainability of the funds for the palliative programme, saying that Tinubu was seeking a loan from the World Bank that would further plunge Nigeria into debt.

He said that Tinubu should have invested in reviving the four refineries in the country, rather than importing fuel at exorbitant prices.

He also challenged Tinubu to disclose his true health status to Nigerians, saying that there were rumours that he was suffering from a terminal illness that could affect his performance as president.

Onuesoke said that Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad for medical treatment were a sign of his poor health condition, and that he was not fit to lead Nigeria at this critical time.

He urged Nigerians to reject Tinubu and his policies, and to demand for a better leadership that would address their needs and aspirations.

The Labour Party (LP) also condemned Tinubu’s policy of removing fuel subsidy and paying N8,000 monthly to 12 million households as “a mockery and an insult” to Nigerians, who deserve better living conditions and social services.

The LP questioned the source and sustainability of the funds for the palliative programme, saying that Tinubu was seeking a loan from the World Bank that would further plunge Nigeria into debt.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has also expressed its displeasure with Tinubu’s policy of removing fuel subsidy and paying N8,000 monthly to 12 million households.

The NNPP said that Tinubu’s policy was “a scam and a fraud” that would not address the root causes of poverty and inequality in Nigeria. The NNPP said that Tinubu should have invested in reviving the four refineries in the country, rather than importing fuel at exorbitant prices.

The NNPP also challenged Tinubu to disclose his true health status to Nigerians, saying that there were rumours that he was suffering from a terminal illness that could affect his performance as president.

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