In a more conciliatory tone, President Bola Tinubu, for the second time in a week, has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with his government, saying that his plans to bring respite to the prevalent economic hardship in the country will start to materialise in due time. In an official video released by the state
In a more conciliatory tone, President Bola Tinubu, for the second time in a week, has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with his government, saying that his plans to bring respite to the prevalent economic hardship in the country will start to materialise in due time.
In an official video released by the state house today, the President admitted that the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of Naira last year have led to the current hunger in the country, and made Nigerians embark on a ten-day nationwide protest against bad governance.
The protests made the president address the country on Sunday, calling on the demonstrators to suspend their agitations and create a platform for dialogue. He also explained to the country that his administration has taken some steps to cushion hardship meted on the country as a result of subsidy removal.
However, the protesters ignored his pleading, instead, they took to the streets and criticised the President for failing to address their demands. As a result, the protest escalated to violence in the Northern part of the country in which some hoodlums were seen looting government properties.
To address the growing agitation, the president in the video admitted that “there was an avoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online”. He, however, called for calmness in the country. His government would take all the needed actions to get the country out of the lingering economic crisis.
“Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there’s no doubt that it is tough, but I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work. Sadly, there was an avoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online.
“I plead with you, please have faith in our ability to deliver and our concern for your well-being. We will get out of this turbulence, and due to the measures, we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.
“For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian student will have to abandon higher education due to lack of money.
“Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On principle, we shall never falter. I assure you, my fellow countrymen and women, that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn. Now, I must get back to work to make this vision come true.”
