President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected the calls from Nigerians to return fuel subsidy to ease the hardship and high cost of living killing Nigerians.
The President said the decision was painful but it is necessary for the nation’s economic recovery and meaningful development.
In a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians on Sunday 4th of August 2024, the President ruled out the calls for the return of subsidy, saying the decision to remove the fuel Subsidy was painful and necessary because it has constituted a noose around the economy and impeded the nation’s economic development and progress.
President Tinubu further said his actions are premised on blocking the greed and the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers made, stressing that it also blocked the undue subsidies Nigeria extended to the neighbouring countries to the detriment of the people, rendering the economy prostrate.
“These decisions I made were necessary if we must reverse the decades of economic mismanagement that didn’t serve us well. Yes, I agree, the buck stops on my table. But I can assure you that I am focused fully on delivering the governance to the people’s good governance for that matter.”
The president said “my vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide one that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people”.
He also assured the Nigerians that law enforcement agencies would continue to ensure the full protection of lives and properties of innocent citizens in a responsible manner.
President Tinubu affirmed that “Our democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of every Nigerian are respected and protected.”
