Former ADC Candidates Join APC, Yilwatda Warns Against Fuel Subsidy Return

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomed former candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday. These candidates had pulled out from various State House of Assembly races in the North to join the ruling party.

APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, spoke to the new members. He warned that bringing back fuel subsidy would harm the North and stop critical projects on roads, gas, and fertiliser.

The group was led by Princess Aslam Aliyu, known as Gimbiyar Kauran Namoda. Mohammed Hassan, an ADC candidate from Zamfara State, addressed the gathering on behalf of the delegation.

Hassan explained that the defectors were joining the APC for a larger cause. "We are not here merely to change the political platform, but to begin a new chapter of service and make a great contribution to our people by supporting Baba Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in 2027. We have come to work; we have come to contribute," he said.

Yilwatda replied by questioning the opposition's plan to restore the fuel subsidy. "The Hausa radio stations tell us that they will return the subsidy. I keep asking: How are they going to return the subsidy? Do you mean they will stop all these road constructions because they want to return the subsidy? Because there will be no money for these constructions; all these roads again.

"For example, they will tell you on Hausa radio programmes that Mr President does not like the northern part of Nigeria. Let us ask: Where are the northern Nigerians? Where are you? We are part of the North. They will tell you that he is constructing roads in the South and is not doing anything in the North. The road from Abuja to Kano is 400 kilometres. The road from Kano to Maiduguri is 500 kilometres. The two roads alone are 900, almost 1,000 kilometres."

Yilwatda mentioned that many road projects are ongoing in Northern Nigeria. He pointed out the Abuja-Kano and Kano-Maiduguri corridors. He also mentioned roads linking Jos to Akwanga, Sokoto to Kebbi, Kano to Daura, and Zaria to Danja.

He listed projects in Lokoja, Benue, Mokwa, Niger, and Zamfara. He argued that the amount of construction going on showed that the Federal Government is not neglecting the North.

The APC chairman also questioned how the opposition would pay for the fuel subsidy if it was restored. He asked if this would mean stopping ongoing road works due to lack of funds.

He said, "The gas they are bringing to the North will come with fertiliser, and we in the North need that fertiliser to farm. Do you mean they should stop it? The CNG will come with the gas and make transportation easier for vulnerable people. Should we stop it?

"The beneficiaries of the student loan, most of them are from the North. We have more and more of them in this part of the country. Should we stop it? Should most of our people who cannot afford school fees go back to being wheelbarrow pushers in the villages? The questions are too many. We cannot answer them all here."

Yilwatda also assured the defectors of full integration into the APC. He urged them to return to their states and local governments to rally support for the party before the 2027 elections.

He encouraged them to strengthen their polling units. He reminded them that elections are decided at the polling-unit level.

Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. This was part of his major campaign promises.

The policy led to an increase in the prices of goods and services. The APC-led Federal Government has insisted that this decision has brought significant economic benefits.

With the 2027 election approaching, Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and former Vice President, has promised to restore the subsidy if elected. He believes this would help ease the effects of its removal on Nigerians.