President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to maintain their resolve, claiming that despite its haste, his decision to remove subsidies will prevent the country from imploding.
During a national broadcast on Monday in Abuja to commemorate 2023 Democracy Day, the president made this statement.
He promised adequate investment in transportation, healthcare, infrastructure, and education, among other things, noting that his decision to remove subsidies would have attendant effects on the cost of living of Nigerians.
However, President Tinubu pledged that MKO Abiola’s political views, which “promote the welfare of the people over the personal interests of the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfillment and happiness,” would have a significant influence on his administration.
He stated: “In my inauguration speech on May 29, I put into practice the choice made by my predecessor in office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and release for collective use the much-needed resources that had previously been pocketed by a few wealthy.
I acknowledge that the majority of our people will experience an additional burden as a result of the decision. I can relate to your suffering. 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 will 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 life.
“The democracy MKO Abiola died for is one in which the general population’s welfare is prioritised over the interests of the ruling class personally, and in which the governed can experience personal fulfillment and happiness. That is the hope that MKO Abiola sparked in our nation in 1993.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to “rededicate ourselves to strengthening this form of government of free peoples that has been our guiding light these past 24 years”.
“In particular, those of us who have been privileged to be elected into public offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of government must recommit ourselves to offering selfless service to the people and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral promises.
“On my part and that of my administration, I pledge anew our commitment to diligently fulfilling every component of our electoral pact with the people—the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda”, the Nigerian President added.
