ATIKU'S FUEL SUBSIDY PLEDGE, SHOWS IGNORANCE- TINUBU

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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday called out a promise by Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, to bring back the petrol subsidy if he wins in 2027.He said this shows a big lack of understanding about how to run a country and manage money.

He made these comments while meeting with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, after winning his recent election.

He said, “I saw one of my opponents saying he will go back to the subsidy. I read it.That shows a serious lack of understanding about how to run the country and manage the economy.”

The President also talked about the financial state of Nigerian states before the subsidy was removed. He said, “Before I took over, 27 states couldn’t even pay their workers‘ salaries, let alone pensions.I know someone in your state who goes by the nickname ‘half salary.’ They come to the federal government, but they can’t do anything about it.”

Tinubu argued that the direct beneficiaries of the reform were ordinary Nigerians and their families, delivered through state and local government structures now able to fund basic obligations and infrastructure.

“Salary you pay for each family, they were at the local governments, they are in the states.

“Take out the president, we got every other person. Ask common men, their families, to feed, the infrastructure you embark upon on the road network, housing, school rehabilitation, hospital, healthcare pronouncements, resuscitation of healthcare, training of teachers, training of health workers to protect our vulnerable families. It’s part of your responsibility,” the President said.

Citing Adeleke’s re-election, Tinubu urged the governor to translate the mandate into governance rather than triumphalism.

He urged, “All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people.

“Not the way you sang it or celebrated it. It’s the way you act it. Use me as an example, I got here. God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there.

“Not the smartness of any of these people. It’s just their support, not their smartness. It’s the wish of God that prevailed, and the wish of the people for you.”

He described Adeleke as occupying a unique position to shape a broader legacy beyond the immediate electoral win.

“You are in a very, very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace and stability,” said Tinubu.

“Use it. It started as a progressive, all you are doing now is progressive instinct. And you did a very good mobilisation with your team. Very good job. You saw fear. You screamed,” he added, urging the governor to consolidate that momentum into democratic values.

He further advised, “Promote democracy. Promote stability. Promote rule of law. Don’t stigmatise any of your opponents.”

Tinubu also appealed for magnanimity in victory for all political actors, regardless of party.

He stated, “Anybody, any democrat, anybody in the political environment who cannot celebrate the joy of a free and fair election does not deserve the laughter and the happiness of democracy.

“Don’t make a single individual a victim of your campaign, not for you alone, not for the sake of us all alone, for the generations to come.”

To the re-elected governor, the President said, “It’s more important for you to build a network of unity, unified tools and everything.

“Like I said, you did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy. I’m so happy that we have this talk.”