Former Military Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, has expressed the fear that the expected increase in fuel price will unleash more poverty on Nigeria.
According to him, 80 per cent of the country’s population already live below poverty level.
The Federal Government has said it will remove fuel subsidy this year, fuelling fears that inflation would worsen.
Speaking at the 19th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja on Thursday January 20, Abdulsalami also pointed out that 80 million Nigerians are still cut off by poverty.
He said;
“The expected fuel price increment will push more Nigerians into poverty.
“Over 80 million Nigerians are still cut off by poverty. Nigeria faces a food crisis worsened by the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
Abubakar became the head of state in 1998 after the sudden death of General Sanni Abacha.
