12th June, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu on Monday said he feels the pains Nigerians are going through as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, but said the decision was to save Nigeria from going under.
Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast to commemorate the June 12, said he admitted that the decision would impose extra burden on the masses.
He said the need for his administration to bid farewell to poverty that he announced the removal of fuel subsidy during his inaugural address to the nation.
:It is for this reason that, in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto being pocketed by a few rich.
“I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.
“Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain.
“The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives,” he said.
Tinubu added that the recent harmonization of the retirement age for judicial officers was meant to strengthen the rule of law, which is a critical pillar of democracy, saying that the reform had just started.
He said the democracy that would yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders meant more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices.
“It means social and economic justice for our people. To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty.
“Thirty years ago, he christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be eliminated with clearly thought out social and economic policies,” he stated.