Yilwatda defends Tinubu’s economic policies, warns that restoring fuel subsidy could disrupt student loans, infrastructure projects and states’ ability to pay salaries.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that more than 10 million vulnerable Nigerians who benefited from the Federal Government’s N75,000 conditional cash transfer programme lack access to mobile phones, television and social media, limiting their participation in public discussions about government policies.
Yilwatda made the disclosure on Saturday while speaking with journalists after a three-day retreat of the APC National Executive Council (NEC) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to the APC chairman, many of the beneficiaries are among the country’s poorest citizens and are unable to engage in public debates or challenge government policies because they lack access to the communication platforms through which such discussions often take place.
He said the Federal Government had provided N75,000 to more than 10 million Nigerians through the conditional cash transfer programme under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
“We have given 75,000 naira to over 10 million Nigerians across the country using the conditional cash transfer under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction,” Yilwatda said.
“Mind you, these people who are poor and vulnerable don’t have telephones to make calls; they are not on social media. They don’t have a television. They cannot come and challenge and discuss as we are doing here, but they are out there.”
Yilwatda defends subsidy removal
The APC national chairman also defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy had increased revenue available to state governments and enabled them to meet their financial obligations, including the payment of salaries and pensions.
He criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, over his position on the fuel subsidy, warning that restoring the subsidy could undermine government programmes and ongoing infrastructure projects.
Yilwatda maintained that the removal of the subsidy had helped states improve their ability to pay workers and pensioners, claiming that more than 30 states had previously struggled to meet those obligations.
“Over 30 states could not pay salaries and pensions. After we removed subsidies, all states can pay salaries and pensions, and no state is left behind,” he said.
He further argued that bringing back the subsidy would put pressure on public finances and potentially affect the government’s capacity to sustain its existing programmes.
“Today, if you return it, you are saying states shouldn’t pay salaries again. And what suffering are you bringing to Nigeria?” he asked.
Student loan scheme, infrastructure projects at risk, APC chairman warns
Yilwatda also warned that a return to fuel subsidy payments could affect the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and disrupt major infrastructure projects currently being undertaken across the country.
He cited the coastal road and gas infrastructure project extending towards northern Nigeria as examples of initiatives that he said could be suspended if the subsidy were restored.
“The projects we’re doing across the country, like the coastal road and gas project to the north, which have passed Abuja, which are aimed at easing the suffering of Nigerians, will be suspended,” he said.
The APC chairman also accused Atiku of seeking to reverse the Tinubu administration’s policies in pursuit of the presidency, insisting that the ruling party and Nigerians would not accept such a move.
His comments come amid continuing public debate over the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal, the cost of living and the government’s social intervention programmes.
APC declares readiness for 2027 elections
Beyond the economic issues, Yilwatda said the APC NEC retreat in Maiduguri reviewed the party’s activities and organisational strength at the national, state, local government, ward and polling-unit levels.
He said the meeting concluded that the party remained strong and was prepared for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the NEC also passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and other APC candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries for the forthcoming elections.
The retreat provided an opportunity for party leaders to assess their political organisation and discuss preparations for the next electoral cycle.
Yilwatda’s remarks underscored the APC’s position on defending the Tinubu administration’s economic policies while mobilising its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
