Abuja, Nigeria – In a nationwide broadcast from the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday morning, President Bola Tinubu firmly ruled out the possibility of reinstating the fuel subsidy, contrary to the demands of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protesters. The President addressed the nation, explaining that while the removal of the subsidy was painful, it was a crucial step to untangle the economic “jugular of our nation” and foster long-term economic growth and development.
President Tinubu, speaking from Abuja, asserted, “For decades, our economy has remained anaemic and taken a dip because of many misalignments that have stunted our growth. Just over a year ago, our dear country, Nigeria, reached a point where we couldn’t afford to continue the use of temporary solutions to solve long-term problems for the sake of now and our unborn generations.”
He continued, “I, therefore, took the painful yet necessary decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems which had constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our nation and impeded our economic development and progress.”
The President emphasized that these measures were aimed at curbing the greed and profits enjoyed by smugglers and rent-seekers and ending the undue subsidies extended to neighboring countries, which he claimed had left the Nigerian 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 governance to the people – good governance, for that matter,” he stated.
Despite the widespread protests across major cities, including Lagos and Abuja, President Tinubu reassured the nation that law enforcement agencies would continue to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens in a responsible manner. He added, “Our democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of every Nigerian are respected and protected.”
In his address, the President outlined his vision for Nigeria as a just and prosperous nation where citizens enjoy peace, freedom, and a meaningful livelihood. He stressed that achieving this vision requires democratic governance that is open, transparent, and accountable to the Nigerian people.
The ongoing protests reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, but President Tinubu, speaking from the nation’s capital, remains steadfast in his commitment to what he sees as necessary reforms. As the nation grapples with economic challenges, the President’s message underscores a firm stance against returning to subsidies he views as detrimental to Nigeria’s economic health.
The broadcast from Abuja marks a critical moment in Nigeria’s ongoing dialogue about economic policy and governance, as the government faces pressure to balance reform with public demands for relief. The President’s comments are likely to stir further debate and discussion about the best path forward for Nigeria’s economic future.
