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Dalung Slams Tinubu Over Fuel Subsidy Removal, Calls It “Endorsement of Fraud”

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedDecember 18, 2025

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has slammed President Bola Tinubu over the removal of the fuel subsidy, calling the decision an “endorsement of fraud.”

Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Dalung criticised the timing and handling of the policy, saying it was implemented without proper consultation and reflected a “poverty of ideas and knowledge.”

He argued that the real challenge was not the subsidy itself but how it was managed.

“The subsidy regime has already been investigated by the National Assembly, fraud had been established, and companies were indicted. The issue is the management of the subsidy, not its removal,” Dalung said.

The ex-minister accused the Federal Government of failing to hold those responsible for years of alleged subsidy fraud accountable.

“This government is not interested in going after those who defrauded the country for many years. Instead, they made a sweeping statement: ‘subsidy has been withdrawn.’ To me, that is an endorsement of fraud,” he added.

Dalung also criticised the manner in which the policy was implemented, saying it revealed a lack of understanding of governance structures.

“Granted, it has been done, but the manner shows that the President did not fully understand how government works or the complex nature of Nigeria,” he said.

He further noted that the decision was taken without proper institutional input, pointing out that the government had not been fully constituted at the time.

“As at that time, only the President and Vice President had been sworn in. That is not a government. A government means a cabinet, advisers, and policymakers taking such a decision,” Dalung explained.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.