TINUBU: WE CANNOT GO BACK TO SUBSIDY ERA

President Bola Tinubu has defended his decision to remove the fuel subsidy, insisting that Nigeria cannot reverse the policy and return to what he described as “Egypt.”

The President also commended his son, Seyi Tinubu, who serves as patron of the City Boy Movement, a political support group campaigning for his re-election in 2027.

Tinubu spoke on Monday at a forum titled “Together Till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy,” organised by the City Boy Movement in collaboration with the “Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria” movement at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Addressing members of the group, the President said their presence reminded him of the reasons he contested for the presidency and continued working to improve the country.

He expressed appreciation for their support, acknowledging that the past three years had been difficult and that his administration had taken tough decisions.

Tinubu rejected calls by opposition figures for the reinstatement of fuel subsidy, drawing a comparison with the biblical and Quranic account of Moses and the Israelites leaving Egypt.

“I could listen to my political opponents promising a return to subsidy. Most of all, sometimes I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and the Holy Quran. When Moses left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way,” he said.

“You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt. We wake up with ideas, original thoughts and deep thinking to move this country forward. With your energy and support, we will never go back to Egypt.”

The President maintained that he had no regrets about removing the subsidy, arguing that the country was moving in the right direction economically. He cited China’s reported economic growth of about 4.6 per cent as an indication that Nigeria was in good company.

He also urged supporters to view the 2027 election as a contest over the country’s future rather than a campaign centred solely on his political ambitions.

“Nigeria must win this election before any candidate does. You are not campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future, and that future is Renewed Hope. There is nothing that will push us back,” he said.

Tinubu recalled the economic challenges his administration inherited, including difficulties meeting financial obligations, debts owed to airlines, low foreign reserves and the excessive printing of currency.

He said his government had undertaken tax reforms and other measures to address the challenges, while reiterating his commitment to improving the education sector and ending prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The President also praised the City Boy Movement for establishing a nationwide network with members across states, local governments, wards and polling units. He highlighted its call centre and City Boy Care initiative as efforts to engage young Nigerians and respond to community needs.

He thanked youth support groups in Nigeria and abroad for defending his administration and communicating its policies to the public.

Tinubu further assured young supporters that they would have a role in the country’s future, noting that national development depended on their participation.

He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as one of his administration’s initiatives, saying more than one million students had received support through the programme.

Commending Seyi Tinubu for his role in organising young people, the President said his son had engaged with his peers without seeking a political title or public office.

However, he urged him to intensify his efforts and serve as a positive example to others.

Tinubu also encouraged young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the electoral process, urging them to communicate the administration’s policies and plans to their peers.

Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima defended the administration’s economic reforms, arguing that the economy could have collapsed if the government had avoided difficult decisions.

Shettima said the economy recorded growth of 4.43 per cent in the last quarter and that the country’s foreign reserves were approaching $60bn.

He acknowledged that Nigerians had experienced economic hardship but maintained that conditions could have been worse without the government’s interventions.

The Vice President also expressed confidence that the administration would introduce measures to address agricultural challenges and bring down food prices in the coming weeks.

He cited investments in infrastructure and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as part of the government’s efforts to reposition the economy, urging young supporters to communicate its policies to other Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Francis Shoga, said Nigerian youths were prepared to support the country’s development through organised participation and public service.

Shoga described the group as a network committed to promoting national unity, patriotism and the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.

He said the movement aimed to inform and engage young Nigerians, explain government policies, highlight available opportunities and encourage their participation in national development.