Jonathan halted full subsidy removal in 2012 over Boko Haram threat – Sanusi

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has revealed that fears of Boko Haram suicide bombers prevented former President Goodluck Jonathan from fully removing the fuel subsidy in 2012.

Sanusi explained that Jonathan’s administration only removed 50 per cent of the subsidy due to concerns that Boko Haram might target protesters during the nationwide demonstrations.

Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference, the Emir commended Jonathan’s resolve despite the grave security risks.

Sanusi said: “And you know, the only reason the government compromised at that time, maybe you should know this, the only reason the government compromised and did 50% not 100% was Boko Haram. We had suicide bombers in the country.

“And it was like, if one day one of these suicide bombers goes to these Nigerians and explodes the bomb, and you have 200 corpses, it will no longer be about subsidy.

“So I got to give President Jonathan the credit. He was determined to do it.”