Fuel Subsidy Removal: Govs Back Tinubu

• Pledges support for early policy initiatives

BY EDMOND ODOK – As Nigerians anticipate Federal Government’s palliatives to cushion the fuel subsidy removal pains, the 36 State Governors have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s early policy initiatives.

This is as the President challenged them on robust partnership with the Federal Government to tackle the menace of poverty in the country as the current level of impoverishment is totally unacceptable.

In expressing their strong support for President Tinubu as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the State Chief executives roundly applauded him for ending the fuel subsidy payments, his statesmanship, and an all-inclusive leadership style.

A statement by the State House Media Office said the NGF members, led by their Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, spoke when they were hosted by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

Attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the meeting featured 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States.

The statement said the Governors, who took turns to speak at the occasion, congratulated the President for tackling the fuel subsidy monster and assured him of their readiness to work and support the administration in its efforts to mitigate the short-term pain and sufferings the decision have inflicted on Nigerians.

According to the statement, President Tinubu, while addressing the NGF members, tasked political leaders to shun divisive tendencies, downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the people’s sufferings.

He was quoted as saying; “We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary; it is from society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics; we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building.”

Maintaining that the nation should be seen as one big family, the President said; “We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results”.

Also stressing that good governance would safeguard the future of democracy in the country, President Tinubu said; “We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage.

“If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations that are over a hundred years in democracy. We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people.’’

President Tinubu, who pledged to operate an open-door policy, assured the governors that he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform.

“After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account”.

On education, he said as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury in the country, the sector must be improved upon through huge investment, adding; “How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’

While also making reference to the security challenges in some states, President Tinubu urged the governors to put in place measures aimed at tackling insecurity, without necessarily thinking that the problem should be left for only those facing it presently.

In his remarks, the NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRasaq appreciated the president for inviting them to deliberate on the nation’s poverty and security challenges, pledging their support for the Federal Government’s efforts at meeting the targets of human capital development.

Further promising that “The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously” with the President, the NGF highlighted the plight of Nigerians citizens in the various states.

The Forum also assured President Tinubu of their support in proffering solutions to the nation’s numerous socio-economic challenges through the National Economic Council (NEC).