By Ishaya Ibrahim
Adeboye claimed: “When the President cancelled the subsidy on petrol imports, those who benefited from it became upset and created more problems.”
The hardship in Nigeria was created by those who were benefitting from the subsidy regime, according to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He also claimed that without divine intervention, the exchange rate could have soared to ₦10,000 to $1.
Adeboye was quoted by The Nation Newspaper while speaking during the Special Holy Ghost Congress in Abuja, where he linked Nigeria’s financial struggles to its heavy reliance on fuel imports, despite being a significant oil-producing nation.
He criticised the billions spent on refineries that remain non-functional, forcing the country to depend on imported petrol.
Addressing the contentious removal of fuel subsidies, Adeboye remarked that the decision angered those who had profited under the previous system, further exacerbating Nigeria’s economic woes.
“We need help, and it’s not human help; it’s divine help,” he emphasised.
Adeboye highlighted that the root of Nigeria’s financial difficulties predates the current administration, pointing to the ongoing importation of petrol despite abundant oil resources.
“Before our current President took office, we were aware that the root of our financial issues lay in the importation of petrol. Despite having oil, we continued to import petrol and waste billions on refineries that did not operate effectively.
“When the President cancelled the subsidy on petrol imports, those who benefited from it became upset and created more problems,” he added.
Reflecting on the naira’s rapid devaluation, Adeboye said he turned to prayer and expressed gratitude for others who joined him.
“If God hadn’t intervened, $1 could have been worth ₦10,000 by now. This illustrates how much we need prayers,” he said.
