The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it played no role in the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

It made the clarification at a press conference during the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, United States.

Abebe Selassie, IMF’s African Region Director, described the decision to remove fuel subsidy by Tinubu’s government as a domestic one.

The decision was a domestic one. We don’t have programmes in Nigeria. Our role is limited to regular dialogue, as we have with other nations like Japan or the UK,” the official said, according to Vanguard.

However, Selassie argued that the government’s choices regarding subsidy removal reflect its long-term strategy for sustainable economic growth.

We recognise the significant social costs involved. The government can mitigate these by expanding social protection for the most vulnerable,” he said in reference to Nigerians affected by the impact of subsidy removal.

recalls that Tinubu announced that subsidy was gone on May 29, 2023.

The development has led to an astronomical hike in the fuel pump price, with a litre selling for over N1000 as of the time of this report.

Many Nigerians had accused the government of following IMF policies in implementing total subsidy removal.

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has confirmed that the local government elections will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, October 26th.

This announcement was made by the chairman of the commission, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Kano.

Professor Malumfashi stated that the decision to conduct the election followed a state high court order that granted the commission the right to proceed. “On behalf of KANSIEC, I am welcoming you. You have been informed, and you are informing others. We have followed the regulations. The supreme court rules that we should follow. Is democracy like this?” he remarked, emphasizing the commission’s adherence to legal protocols.

He further explained that when the commission was appointed, they were given a grace period before being sworn in. “Kano State High Court has affirmed our right to conduct the elections. We are going to do the elections,” Professor Malumfashi asserted.

The chairman also listed the political parties that will participate in the elections, including Action Alliance, ZLP, ACCORD, AAC, NRM, and NNPP. He urged electoral officials to ensure they arrive early at their respective polling stations to facilitate a smooth electoral process.

The Association of Online Media Guild (ASSOMEG) extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Sanusi Bature, Director General, Media and Publicity to the Kano State Governor, over the heartbreaking loss of his beloved son, who passed away on Thursday at the young age of 15.

This tragic loss is felt by all of us within the media community, and we share in the sorrow and grief that the family is enduring during this difficult time.

Mr. Sanusi Bature has been an invaluable partner and advocate in the media space, and our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and his loved ones.

On behalf of all our members, ASSOMEG stands in solidarity with Mr. Bature and his family.

We pray that they find the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss, and we trust that Almighty Allah (SWT) will provide solace and peace to his family in this trying period.

Signed,

Abdullateef Abubakar Jos
Interim Chairman

Abbas Yushau Yusuf
Interim Secretary