President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he is aware that Nigerians are suffering from the removal of the fuel subsidy but assures citizens that the savings will benefit all Nigerians.
This is even as he has reaffirmed his commitment to returning Nigeria to the path of greatness, but appealed to citizens to see the current harsh times as a form of labour before child birth.
President Tinubu stated these in a meeting with the 1999 set of Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he reechoed his commitment to Nigeria’s greatness and appealed for support.
President Tinubu had, during his inaugural speech on May 29, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, which translates to market forces determining the prices of petroleum products in the country.
The removal immediately increased the price of petrol from N195 to N540 per litre. Proponents of subsidy removal said the action would free funds for other critical interventions in education, health, agriculture, roads and transport, among others.
President Tinubu in a meeting with the 1999 set of Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, said: “On the subsidy removal thank you for the support. And I understand people are suffering. Yet, there can be no childbirth without pain.
“The joy of childbirth is the big relief of the pain. Nigeria is reborn. It is a rebirth of our country. We will face our problem, but will bring the savings to benefit the largest number of people in the country and not a few smugglers and exploiters. Thank you for your support.”
The President also appealed to citizens for patience and trust on the delivery of the palliatives to cushion the harsh effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.
Chairman of the group of 1999 Governors, former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbenidion, speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, also expressed the group’s support for President Tinubu as he takes on the task of fixing the country.
The former Governors are the first set of elected Governors of the current democratic dispensation, also known as the Fourth Republic.