The Presidency has denied that President Bola Tinubu endorsed the two trending fiscal policy documents circulating.
It further stated that the fuel subsidy has ended and has not changed since Tinubu’s proclamation on May 29, 2023.
The presidency also stated that there is no N5.4 trillion set aside for it in 2024, as has been widely believed and discussed.
The documents, titled Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measures, etc.) Order 2024 and Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), were leaked on the internet on Tuesday, following a meeting between Minister of Finance Wale Edun and President Tinubu at State House in Abuja.
The first policy proposal aims to reduce inflation and stabilise prices, while the second policy aims to fast-track economic recovery and provide succour to Nigerians as possible.
In a statement on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the two documents are not official and still subject to reviews at the highest level of government.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to two fiscal policy documents in circulation that are being given wide coverage by the mainstream media and social media platforms.
“One of the documents titled Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measure etc) Order 2024 is being shared as if it were an executive order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The other is a 65-page draft document with the title “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), which contains suggestions on how to improve the Nigerian economy. President Tinubu received a copy of the draft on Tuesday.
“We urge the public and the media to disregard the two documents and cease further discussions on them. None is an approved official document of the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are all policy proposals that are still subject to review at the highest level of government. Indeed, one has a ‘draft’ clearly written on it.
“According to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, “It is important to understand that policymaking is an iterative process involving multiple drafts and discussions before any document is finalised.
“We assure the public that the official position on the documents will be made available after comprehensive reviews and approvals are completed.”
