A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, has raised concerns over the disbursement of ₦5bn as palliatives to the 36 states of Nigeria. Chief Oguntoyinbo, who also holds the title of Obalodo-designate in Oye Kingdom, Ekiti State, argues that this disbursement process may not be in the best interest of Nigerians, as some corrupt government officials might divert a significant portion of the funds for personal indulgence.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, Oguntoyinbo emphasizes that these palliatives are only temporary measures that fail to reach the most vulnerable members of society, who should be the primary beneficiaries of such aid. Instead, he suggests that the funds should be redirected towards reviving local refineries, thereby putting an end to the current exorbitant price of premium motor spirit (PMS).
According to him, “Tinubu made the right decision by removing the subsidy. He deserves commendation for taking such bold action on his first day in office.”
Regarding the method of disbursing the palliatives, Oguntoyinbo expresses skepticism, stating, “When they said ₦5bn would be disbursed to each state, there is no doubt that our leaders will find a way to steal the money. The majority of the fund will end up in the pockets of corrupt government officials.”
He then urges Tinubu to prioritize the revitalization of the nation’s refineries, explaining that this would directly benefit Nigerians who are currently suffering due to the high cost of fuel.
Speaking about potential influential groups within Tinubu’s administration, Oguntoyinbo urges the President to identify and eliminate these individuals, as their actions and plans may sabotage his efforts to uplift Nigeria.
He asserts, “These cabals will hinder Tinubu’s effectiveness, just as they did with President Buhari. They profit from giving him ill-advised counsel. Tinubu must closely monitor them, subject them to surveillance, and remove them from his administration.”
Furthermore, Oguntoyinbo commends Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his remarkable achievements since assuming office. However, he also encourages the Governor to explore avenues for establishing sustainable industries in the state. This, he believes, will foster development in Ekiti and cement Governor Oyebanji’s legacy even after his term ends.
“BAO has shown great commitment by fostering strong relationships with the people and making himself accessible to them,” Oguntoyinbo affirms. “I applaud him for reaching out to investors and encouraging them to invest in Ekiti, but now it is time to focus on establishing industries that will drive the state’s development.”
