African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kola Ologbondiyan has criticised the Federal Government’s implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy, saying it has imposed severe economic hardship on Nigerians without adequate relief measures.
Speaking during an interview aired on Channels Television on Monday, July 6, 2026, Ologbondiyan said he supports fuel subsidy removal in principle but argued that the policy should have been introduced gradually to allow individuals, businesses and state governments time to adjust to its economic impact.
He said he had consistently advocated a phased implementation, maintaining that it would have eased the financial burden on households already grappling with rising living costs.
Ologbondiyan noted that while state governments now receive increased allocations following the subsidy removal, many Nigerians continue to struggle economically. “You cannot take all our money and give it to the governors, and then tell us to go back to those governors,” he said, arguing that most citizens have limited access to their state leaders.
He urged governments at all levels to prioritise citizens’ welfare, ensure accountability in the use of public funds and implement reforms in a transparent manner that delivers tangible benefits while reducing hardship.
