Petrol subsidy was removed for Nigeria not to collapse, says Tinubu

 




President Bola Tinubu says the removal of subsidy on petrol
was imperative to prevent Nigeria’s collapse.



 



On assuming office in May, Tinubu, in his inauguration
speech, said the subsidy on the commodity “is gone”.



 



The pronouncement swiftly triggered an increase in the
petrol pump price, causing nationwide hardship as inflation soared.



 



Speaking on Friday when he hosted a delegation of Muslim
leaders from the south-western part of the country at the Aso Rock villa, the
president said the removal of the subsidy has caused hardship but the situation
would get better.





 



 “It is about our
future. We must guarantee our future. Almighty Allah will not give us a burden
that we cannot bear,” Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, quoted the
number one citizen as saying.



 



“He has put us here for a purpose. It may look difficult;
even rough, but it will get better. We avoided it (removing the subsidy) for 40
years. We are all going through the pain now, but for Nigeria not to collapse,
we had to remove the subsidy.



 



“In the history of successful nations, there is nothing more
vital than the leadership of a nation taking difficult decisions at the right
time and for the right reasons.



 



 “There would have
been no money for the sub-nationals.”



 



Tinubu said his administration is putting in the work to
ensure that the country’s economy gets better.



 



“We have to believe in one country; we have to believe in
Nigeria. We will do our best, and our economy will get better for the benefit
of Nigerians,” he said.



 



“I am very sure of that, and we are putting in the work to
ensure that.”



 



On his part, Rasaki Oladejo, leader of the delegation,
commended Tinubu’s courage in removing the subsidy.