President Bola Tinubu has finally broken the silence over the removal of fuel subsidy that have brought untold hardship to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu during his inaugural speech as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria declared fuel subsidy is gone, which at that time led to a lot of criticism from Nigerians as petrol stations across the country also inflate the price of their Petroleum Motor Spirit ( PMS), otherwise known as fuel.
Speaking in Paris on Saturday, President Tinubu explained to the Nigerian community in France that although he did not mention fuel subsidy in his statement at his swearing-in on May 29, he felt compelled to do so because it was a “scam” and discourage economic growth.
Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake said the Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun and Alake, had left the elimination of fuel subsidy out of his inaugural speech because “he felt it was expedient to stop the subsidy on the first day.”
He said, “We have transport challenges, electricity challenges, infrastructural challenges, and others. I let out the giant elephant of fuel subsidy without bringing down the house.
“Our diversity is our asset, if we know how to use it.’’“We must promote unity and stability for all. Whether you voted for me during the elections, or not, I am your President. I will work on your behalf to ensure a turning point of prosperity,” the President told the gathering of professionals.
The statement added that Tinubu said, “the Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun, and Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake, had excluded fuel subsidy removal in his inaugural speech, but he felt it was expedient to stop the subsidy on the first day.”
Speaking further he said, “When I was declared a winner, I fell almost sick with joy. A few friends visited. So I asked the question, you asked me to bring this trophy, this victory what do you do with it? I won. We must change Nigeria with it.
“And then Wale Edun and co, we started debating, putting my speech together without the question on subsidy. I got to the podium, I was possessed with courage and I declared that the subsidy is gone.
“Until I called NNPC, they thought it was a joke of the century. We are tired of making a few people rich, feeding smugglers and subsidizing the next-door neighbour.”
This marked the first time the President would publicly comment on his May 29 inaugural speech, in which he declared that “fuel subsidy is gone.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had called for protests as a result of the comment regarding the fuel subsidy, which had almost immediately increased prices and led to hoarding.
This is in spite of early efforts made by former president Muhammadu Buhari to stop providing fuel subsidies by June.
In order to relieve the burden of poverty and insecurity on families, the President pledged to reposition the health and education sectors and to continue and expand current economic reforms.
