President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described calls for a return to fuel subsidy as a demonstration of “serious ignorance on governance and economy,” insisting that the subsidy regime had contributed to severe financial difficulties for states.
Tinubu spoke when Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, visited him at the Presidential Villa following Adeleke’s victory in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.
The President while speaking to Adeleke, said he had read the position of one of his political opponents who had proposed returning to fuel subsidy.
“Let’s look at the trajectory of the history. I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it,” Tinubu said.
“That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy.”
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, had said that if elected President in the 2027 general elections, he would return fuel subsidy.
Tinubu, while defending his administration’s position on subsidy removal, recalled the financial difficulties faced by states before he assumed office.
“Before I came here, 27 states are unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers,” the President said.
He also referred to the situation in Osun State, telling Adeleke that he knew a man he had raised who was nicknamed “half salary.”
According to Tinubu, state and local governments had faced difficulties meeting their obligations, with governments struggling to pay workers and provide essential services.
“They come to the federal, capping hand, unable to do anything. Salary you pay for each families. They were at the local governments.
“They are in the states. We are at the concentration of population. They are in the states.”
The President said governments had responsibilities to provide infrastructure and essential services for Nigerians, including road networks, housing, school rehabilitation, hospitals and healthcare.
He also listed the resuscitation of healthcare services, training of teachers and training of health workers to protect vulnerable families among the responsibilities of government.
“Take out the president. We got every other person. Ask common men, their families, to feed the infrastructure you embark upon on the road network, housing, school rehabilitation, hospital, health care pronouncements, resuscitation of health care, training of teachers, training of health workers to protect our vulnerable families,” Tinubu said.
He said such responsibilities formed part of Adeleke’s mandate as governor, noting that the people of Osun State had expressed their preference by re-electing him.
“It’s part of your responsibility. And the people of fortunate states pronounce their judgment on you, that they love you. They want you to govern. So you’re going back to govern,” the President said.
Tinubu’s remarks came as he urged Adeleke to use his victory to promote reconciliation, unity, peace, stability, democracy and the rule of law.
The President told Adeleke that his victory was not about conquering anyone but winning an election, stressing that the outcome should be used to strengthen democratic values.
“You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” Tinubu said.
