Presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, on Monday, told northern elders that, in Nigeria, subsidy is a scam.
Trillions of naira are going into petrol subsidy with officials saying Nigeria consumes over 60m litres daily.
That is 20 million jump from what obtained about two years ago.
Now, Obi said he would fight the corruption that, he believes, breeds the alleged scam.
He said tis during a session he had on Monday with groups that include the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, the Centre for Historical Development Research(Arewa House) as well as the Arewa Research and Documentation Project.
He said, “We want to bring a transformative government. The greatest assets of Nigeria are in the north.
“The greatest asset of Nigeria is vast uncultivated land in the north but these lands have been taken by bandits.
“We will bring Nigeria back to life. All banks will be shareholders in Bank Of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans.”
He also promised to eradicate poverty in the country, saying that “when you pull people out of poverty, the rate of crime in the country will reduce,” while adding that his candidature is for a new Nigeria where Nigerians would be proud of their fatherland.
He said corruption could only be fought to a standstill only “when one is not stealing.”
“Our past is gone. We are going to face the future. Fighting corruption is easy when one is not stealing. Our money is being stolen, subsidy is an organised crime.
“I want to give Nigerians hope. I and my running mate will be in charge. They will not find us wanting. We have physical strength. I will dialogue with every agitator because it will make us a better and united Nigeria,” Obi declared.
