Postponement of subsidy removal disappointing– Magnus Abe

The Rivers State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Senator Magnus Abe, has faulted decision of the Federal Government to shift the date for the removal of fuel subsidy.

This was as he disclosed that he would withdraw the petition he filed at the election tribunal to challenge the results of the election.

Abe stated these while addressing SDP faithful at his campaign office in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Abe stated, “I was at the centre of that controversy when the whole subsidy thing blew up under the Goodluck Jonathan government then.

“And one of the key promises he made to Nigerians and why we followed Buhari is that that problem will be solved.

“It is unfortunate that now towards the end of the administration everybody has come to realise that this country can no longer afford to pay phantom subsidies for things that bring no benefit whatsoever to the Nigerian people and the Nigerians to come.

“I was very happy when I saw the President taking steps to conclude that very controversial matter before the end of his administration by introducing an improved wage for civil servants as part of the process of taking out the fuel subsidy.

“I was, however, shocked when I read somewhere that the decision of the fuel subsidy removal has now been postponed.

“And I honestly do not think that it is in the interest of the Nigerian people that we should continue to toy with this matter, especially since we have already taken steps to bring it to a rightful conclusion.”

On the withdrawal of his petition against the governor-elect, Siminialayi Fubura, Abe explained that though the decision was personal, it was in the interest of the state.

“Having made a very clear review of the situation in the state and what is happening in the state, I have decided in consultation with the party at the national and the state level that I, Senator Magnus Abe, will withdraw my petition at the election petitions tribunal; first, in the interest of those that have suffered and laboured so much in in support of our cause; and more importantly in the interest of our state. So, that we begin to reduce the bickering and confusion in the state in order to give all of us an opportunity to be able to move forward with our lives,” he said.