Politics
Tinubu Then and Now: From Fuel Tax Opponent to Fuel Tax Enforcer. (A Political Irony Cast in Fuel Flames)
Tinubu Then and Now: From Fuel Tax Opponent to Fuel Tax Enforcer.
(A Political Irony Cast in Fuel Flames)
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
In 2003, he called it “double taxation.” In 2025, he signed it into law.
In the annals of Nigeria’s political history, few things expose the duplicity of power like policy reversals. In 2003, then-Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stood before Nigerians as a fiery defender of the masses, lashing out at President Olusegun Obasanjo’s proposal of a fuel tax. He called it “DOUBLE TAXATION,” condemned it as an anti-people policy and vowed to challenge it in court. Fast-forward to June 2025 and that same Tinubu (now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) has signed into law a sweeping tax reform that imposes a 5% surcharge on petrol and other fuels, effective January 2026, under the guise of funding clean energy initiatives.
The irony is blistering. The man who once denounced fuel taxation as economic strangulation now brandishes the very policy instrument he once demonized. Nigerians are left to ask: has Tinubu betrayed his own words or has power exposed a truth he once concealed?
The Heavy Burden of Fuel Taxes.
Fuel in Nigeria is not just another commodity; it is the lifeblood of the economy. With epileptic electricity and industries relying heavily on diesel-powered generators, any increase in fuel price sends shockwaves across every sector. A 5% surcharge, no matter how noble the intended purpose, translates into higher transport costs, food inflation and spiraling costs of goods and services.
Dr. Bismarck Rewane, a respected economist and CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, has long warned: “In Nigeria, any policy that touches fuel pricing is a policy that touches every Nigerian pocket.”
Already, Nigerians are grappling with the aftermath of subsidy removal in 2023, a policy that saw fuel prices skyrocket by more than 200%. Inflation, officially pegged at over 33% by mid-2025, has ravaged household incomes. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that food inflation is above 40%, while unemployment remains at a crushing 37%. In such a climate, adding a fuel surcharge is nothing short of pouring salt into a festering wound.
Tinubu’s Contradiction: From Courtrooms to Aso Rock.
Let us revisit Tinubu’s words in 2003. Back then, when Obasanjo’s administration sought to introduce a levy on fuel, Tinubu (as Lagos Governor) declared:
“This is double taxation, an exploitation of the people. We will resist it and if necessary, challenge it in court.”
That same Tinubu, now wielding presidential authority, has turned his back on the principle he once defended. What has changed? Is it the man, the times or the seduction of power?
Political scholar Dr. Jideofor Adibe puts it bluntly: “Nigerian politicians rarely hold consistent positions on policy. What they oppose in opposition, they implement in power. It is not about principle but expediency.”
This hypocrisy is at the heart of Nigeria’s governance crisis. Policies are not measured by long-term developmental value but by political convenience. Today, Tinubu’s reform is packaged as “PROGRESSIVE TAXATION for CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION,” but to ordinary Nigerians, it is yet another mechanism of state-sanctioned hardship.
The Global Energy Argument; And Its Flaw.
Defenders of the surcharge argue that the world is moving toward renewable energy and that Nigeria must raise funds to finance its own green transition. Indeed, global institutions like the International Energy Agency (IEA) have emphasized the urgency of moving away from fossil fuels. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, paradoxically suffers from poor energy access, with over 85 million citizens lacking electricity.
However, as Professor Pat Utomi, a leading political economist, once observed: “You cannot tax poverty into prosperity. A government must first build productivity before loading burdens on its citizens.”
Unlike advanced economies where fuel taxes fund infrastructure and clean energy, Nigeria’s history is littered with failed interventions. Billions allegedly spent on power reforms have vanished into bureaucratic black holes. The Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), set up in the 1990s, became a political cash cow. Why should Nigerians now trust that this 5% fuel surcharge will not go the same way?
Opposition Cries Foul.
Unsurprisingly, opposition parties have seized on this contradiction. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a scathing statement:
“Tinubu opposed fuel taxes when it suited him politically. Today, he imposes the same tax on a suffering population. This is not leadership; this is betrayal.”
Labour unions, too, are preparing for confrontation. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed mass action if the surcharge is not reversed. Its president, Joe Ajaero, thundered: “This government cannot continue to impoverish Nigerians under the false banner of reform. We will resist with everything we have.”
History Repeating Itself.
George Santayana once warned: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Nigeria is the perfect example. Obasanjo’s attempt to tax fuel in 2003 collapsed under public outrage. Now, two decades later, Tinubu has resurrected the same ghost.
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once described Nigerian governance as a “cycle of déjà vu.” Today, his words ring true. Every administration recycles old, failed policies under new labels. The tragedy is that Nigerians are forced to pay the price again and again.
The Larger Question: Leadership or Self-Interest?
At the heart of this debate is a moral question: should leaders hold themselves accountable to their past words? Tinubu’s reversal is not just a policy decision; it is a credibility issue. By signing a law he once condemned, he sends a dangerous message that political positions are mere costumes to be worn and discarded at will.
Political scientist Larry Diamond once wrote: “Democracy collapses when leaders lose credibility, because legitimacy is the only currency that sustains power.” If Tinubu continues down this path, his administration risks eroding whatever remains of its legitimacy.
Alternatives Ignored.
Critics argue that instead of taxing fuel, the government should:
Cut Wasteful Spending: Nigeria’s budget still allocates billions to frivolous items, including luxury convoys and political perks.
Plug Revenue Leakages: The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reports that over $46 billion has been lost to oil theft and mismanagement in two decades.
Expand Tax Base Fairly: Less than 10% of Nigerians are in the formal tax net. Why punish the poor majority with fuel surcharges instead of taxing the wealthy elite more effectively?
Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, emphasizes: “Reform must be people-centered. You cannot build a nation by squeezing its weakest members.”
Final Reckoning: A Nation at the Crossroads.
Tinubu’s 2025 fuel surcharge is not just an economic decision, it is a moral and political paradox. The man who once called fuel taxes “double taxation” now enforces them on the very people he once claimed to defend. Nigerians are watching, and the echoes of 2003 are alive.
The question is not whether clean energy is necessary, it is whether this government has the trust, integrity and capacity to channel fuel taxes into genuine transformation. Without transparency and accountability, this policy will go the way of every failed Nigerian reform: another burden on the masses, another betrayal by the political class.
As Chinua Achebe warned in The Trouble with Nigeria: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”
Once again, Nigerians stand at the mercy of leaders who promise one thing and deliver the opposite. And once again, it is the people who will pay at the pump.
Politics
Zamfara Group Slams Governor Dauda Lawal Over Banditry Remark, Calls for State of Emergency
Zamfara Group Slams Governor Dauda Lawal Over Banditry Remark, Calls for State of Emergency
The Zamfara Good Governance Network (ZGGN) has sharply criticised Governor Dauda Lawal over a viral video in which he claimed that banditry in the state would end within two months if he had control over security agencies. The group described the governor’s remarks as an insult to the Nigerian military and a betrayal of the people of Zamfara, accusing him of playing politics with lives after nearly three years in office.
In the undated video that circulated widely this week, Lawal, speaking in Hausa, said he had bought 150 vehicles for security agencies but could not direct their use, stressing that orders could only come from Abuja. He added that he had access to tracking devices that revealed the daily movements of bandits, insisting that if he had the authority to command the security forces, the menace would end in two months.
Reacting in Abuja on Wednesday, Murtala Abdullahi, president of the Zamfara Good Governance Network, described the statement as both reckless and shameful.
“This is a governor who campaigned on the promise of ending insecurity in Zamfara and rode on that sentiment to secure his mandate. Now, almost three years into his administration, he is telling the world that he can solve the problem in two months if only he had control of security agencies. This is not just laughable, it is an affront to the gallant men and women of our armed forces who continue to make sacrifices in Zamfara,” Abdullahi said.
The group accused Lawal of deliberately undermining federal efforts to tackle banditry in the state, pointing to his own admission that he knows the exact locations of criminal gangs but has not shared such intelligence with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military high command.
“Governor Lawal has openly confessed to knowing where bandits are located and even claimed he can track their movements on his phone. Yet, rather than handing this information to the appropriate authorities, he is sitting on it, while innocent villagers are being massacred and abducted on a daily basis. That is nothing short of complicity,” Abdullahi declared.
He further accused the governor of hypocrisy, noting that while Lawal laments a lack of control over security agencies, he personally moves around the state with a heavily armed convoy, including personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary outfits.
“Whereas he enjoys full protection with sophisticated equipment and military-grade vehicles, his comrades in arms are out there killing ordinary citizens. The governor has created for himself a cocoon of safety while failing to protect the very people he swore an oath to defend. His claim that he has no control is belied by the very visible security detail he commands daily within Zamfara,” Abdullahi said.
The ZGGN described the situation as a compromise too grave to ignore, warning that Zamfara could not continue to drift under a governor it accused of failing to provide leadership in the face of escalating violence.
“With this level of compromise, it is only wise that the President declares a state of emergency in Zamfara. This administration has failed woefully to deliver on its most basic duty, which is the protection of lives and property. The earlier the President acts, the better for the people of Zamfara who are being killed on a daily basis,” Abdullahi stated.
The group highlighted recent attacks that have left dozens dead and hundreds abducted in local government areas such as Bukkuyum and Kaura Namoda, arguing that the scale of bloodshed had reached intolerable levels.
“It is shameful that instead of providing solutions, the governor is busy issuing excuses. Just in August alone, more than 24 people were killed in Kaura Namoda, 16 injured, and 144 abducted. A week later, 100 villagers were taken from Bukkuyum, with two killed. What Zamfara needs is decisive leadership, not a governor who cries on camera while admitting he has the intelligence to end banditry but chooses not to act,” Abdullahi said.
The ZGGN called on civil society organisations, religious leaders, and community groups to raise their voices in demanding accountability from the governor, warning that silence in the face of repeated attacks would only embolden the criminals.
“Our people cannot continue to be sacrificial lambs on the altar of weak leadership. Governor Lawal must stop hiding behind excuses and start delivering results. If he cannot, then let the federal government step in to take control and rescue Zamfara from total collapse,” Abdullahi said.
Stakeholders Engagement: Obasa Reels Out Renewed Hope Initiative Achievements
Two years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria, according to Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has witnessed an inspiring transformation – a rejuvenation of the economy, a renewal of the national spirit, and a reinvention of the Nigerian state.
Speaking at the 10th Constituency Stakeholders Engagement held inside the Agege Local Government Area secretariat hall on Thursday, Obasa disclosed that this year’s theme, ‘Governance in Action: The Gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda,’ was carefully chosen to highlight the tangible benefits of governance, particularly in alignment with the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Tinubu.
He stated, “This unique programme, which is holding across all the 40 constituencies in the state, gives us a viable opportunity to render an account of our stewardship as well as engage, interact, and strengthen our mutual relationship and solidarity, and to collectively address pressing matters affecting the growth, progress and development of our great community.”
According to Speaker Obasa, “Under the Renewed Hope agenda, the administration has aggressively tackled the challenges of economic stagnation and instability. Strategic economic reforms, including a re-engineering of fiscal policies and revenue-generating mechanisms, have boosted investor confidence and diversified our economy. These reforms have led to an improved credit rating and have laid a strong foundation for economic prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.
Recognising that robust infrastructure is the backbone of development, Speaker Obasa disclosed that the Tinubu administration has launched transformative projects nationwide, including new road networks, upgraded ports, and state-of-the-art public facilities, which he said are not only enhancing the quality of life but also reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a hub for commerce and innovation.
Further, Speaker Obasa said that because agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s quest for food security and self-sufficiency, “The Renewed Hope Agenda has driven significant investments into mechanised farming and modern agricultural practices. Improved access to financing and expanded markets have empowered our farmers, increased production, and positioned Nigeria as a potential agricultural powerhouse.”
He also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s investment in human capital, especially the students’ loan initiative under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a landmark policy that has brought renewed hope to our youths. “Campuses are now more peaceful, infrastructure is improving, and there’s a measure of stability in the academic environment across the federation. Education is once again becoming the tool for empowerment and national development,” he added.
Thus, Obasa opined, “The Renewed Hope Agenda is not by chance; it is a deliberate blueprint for national recovery and sustainability. It is designed to lift millions out of poverty by unlocking economic opportunities for all Nigerians — young and old – men and women, in both urban and rural areas.”
The Speaker drew a parallel between what is happening at the centre and in Lagos State, saying, “In consonance with the national drive for progress, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has been a pivotal partner in the realisation of this shared vision. His tenure is characterised by innovative urban renewal projects, efficient public service delivery, and legislative collaboration for sustainable growth.
“Lagos, as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, has seen groundbreaking infrastructural developments. Modern transport systems, sustainable housing projects, and pioneering urban planning initiatives have transformed our cityscape, making Lagos not only a city of opportunities but a beacon of modern urbanism.”
He added that the proactive engagement between the Executive arm and the House of Assembly has led to the passage of progressive laws that support social welfare, environmental sustainability, and infrastructural innovation. “This strong legislative backing has been instrumental in creating an enabling environment for private investments and public-private partnerships,” Obasa added.
As he reeled out a long list of federal and state government achievements, and those he singlehandedly facilitated in his Agege Constituency, Speaker Obasa was intermittently interrupted by excited constituents belting out popular and political songs, underscoring in no small measure, their appreciation for the man who had dedicated the past 24years of his life to serving them as a legislator.
In his welcome address, Hon. Abdul Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, the acting executive chairman of Agege LGA, was filled with praises for President Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to restoring Nigeria to the path of economic stability and prosperity through the Renewed Hope Agenda. He promised to emulate the president in ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach every member of his community.
The event was attended by constituents, party leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and members of various trade associations, among others.
Politics
FROM CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO TANGIBLE DELIVERABLES: HOW SENATOR 313 IS TRANSFORMING NIGER EAST
FROM CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO TANGIBLE DELIVERABLES: HOW SENATOR 313 IS TRANSFORMING NIGER EAST
By Joseph Yisa
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa is known for many things. In his hometown, he is a philanthropist, a generous soul whose compassion lights up lives with every borehole drilled and scholarship granted. In Niger East, he is a transformative force, turning dusty paths into roads of opportunity and vibrant markets into hubs of progress. In the Senate and across Nigeria, he is that visionary leader whose bold initiatives weave a tapestry of hope, binding communities with dreams of a brighter future.
Fondly known as Senator 313, Senator Musa is a passionate advocate for social change and sustainable reform. As the Distinguished Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, he is widely admired for his exceptional intellect, empathy, and unwavering commitment to addressing the aspirations of his constituents.
A dedicated workaholic, Senator 313 has sponsored numerous people-oriented bills and made significant contributions to discussions and deliberations on the Senate floor, earning respect for his legislative prowess. A courageous leader in the fight for democracy and human rights, Senator 313 aligns his efforts with the Renewed Hope vision of President Tinubu’s administration.
Musa has championed transformative legislation, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill, aimed at tackling pressing national challenges such as unemployment, infrastructure development, and security. His legacy is defined by his implementation of community-based projects, serving as a model of what a committed legislator can achieve.
Senator Musa’s initiatives include the construction of solar-powered boreholes, such as the one in Ginyin Village, Shiroro Local Government Area, and the rehabilitation of rural roads. Additionally, he has fostered growth and development in rural communities by installing solar streetlights and transformers, enhancing nighttime security and supporting local businesses.
With a strong focus on education and women’s empowerment, Senator 313 has demonstrated pioneering leadership. He has constructed and renovated multiple classroom blocks and established ICT centers to enhance learning opportunities. Through scholarship programs, he has empowered students, ensuring access to quality education and fostering academic excellence.
To improve healthcare delivery and accessibility within and beyond his constituency, Senator 313 facilitated the construction of two 50-bed hospitals in Sarkin Pawa, Munya LGA, and Kuta, Shiroro LGA. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed with trained personnel, complemented by additional infrastructure to support healthcare services.
Senator Musa’s work reflects his deliberate commitment to the development of his constituency and the nation at large.
In line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope mandate, he has empowered women and youths by providing resources such as tricycles, motorcycles, grinding machines, and sewing machines. He also distributed 4,050 bags of fertiliser—comprising 1,000 urea and 3,050 NPK bags—across nine local government areas to boost agricultural productivity.
Further demonstrating his dedication, Senator 313 launched an inclusive empowerment program benefiting 500 women and youths. The program provided 21 tricycles for transportation and business, 130 motorcycles for commercial use, 80 grinding machines for food processing, 80 deep freezers for preserving perishable goods, 30 generators for power supply, and 95 sewing machines for tailoring and fashion design.
In a remarkable show of generosity, Senator Musa disbursed ₦143 million to 2,868 constituents, with each receiving ₦50,000. Additionally, he launched a fully funded international scholarship program, enabling 100 academically gifted students to study medicine in India and another 100 to pursue engineering, artificial intelligence, and robotics in China.
His signature legacy projects include the rehabilitation of rural roads, construction of motorised boreholes and solar-powered water systems, distribution of transformers, and installation of solar streetlights. He has also established market stalls for traders and youth centers for skill development and community activities. Furthermore, Senator 313 spearheaded the construction of state-of-the-art mini stadiums in Minna and Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area, to promote youth development, sports, recreation, and peaceful coexistence.
These initiatives underscore Senator 313 commitment to delivering tangible benefits and improving the quality of life for his constituents. As dusk settles over Niger East, Senator Musa’s legacy burns brightly. His tireless efforts—from empowering women and youths to building infrastructure that uplifts communities—have sown seeds of prosperity that will bloom for years to come. Senator 313’s work stands as a powerful reminder that true leadership turns vision into reality, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those he serves.
*Yisa writes from Minna
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