Fuel Subsidy: We Can’t Be Feeding Smugglers, Doing ‘Father Christmas’ With Neighbouring Countries, Says

Tinubu, who reaffirmed his justification for the fuel subsidy removal during an interactive session with the traditional rulers under the aegis of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) at the Aso Villa on Friday, also said that the Nigeria could not continue feeding smugglers and acting as Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.

President Bola Tinubu has maintained that the fuel subsidy removal he announced during his inaugural speech on May 29, was the best thing as fuel subsidy was the elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees.

According to a statement by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, President Tinubu informed the royal fathers of his administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, improve security, create jobs, and sustain the environment as well as the forthcoming election of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly.

Part of the statement quoted Tinubu as saying, “I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?

‘‘The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have the potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing.”

The president, who acknowledged Nigerians’ concerns about the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, pledged that his government will remove any challenges stampeding the progress of the country and its people.

“The lamentations about the capital projects, where is the money going to come from if we don’t protect our resources and our boundaries?” he questioned, adding that “You cannot have development without capital projects.”

Also speaking on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, Tinubu urged the traditional leaders to counsel their subjects interested in elective positions on the need to manage their ambitions and create harmony within the legislative chambers.

He noted that he is ready to work with any elected representative from the National Assembly, saying that the Nigeria project is of paramount importance to him and that “Nigeria must survive. Nigeria must develop. Nigeria must make progress.”

Tinubu also reiterated his pledge to Nigerians to prioritise security in order to ensure that every Nigerian “goes to sleep with their two eyes closed,” stressing that the unity and togetherness of Nigeria cannot be compromised, and that every region of the country would get what it is due.

He said, “We are going to tackle youth unemployment. It is only when we have prosperity for the country that we can create jobs that will employ our youths.”