The Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun state, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the removal of fuel subsidies.
The monarch said the subsidy removal would cut avoidable wastage, noting that the subsidy removal regime “is to stop enriching a few individuals at the detriment of the Nigerian masses.”
In a statement issued by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, the Oluwo described President Tinubu as “an administrator with a key interest in people’s welfare,” saying that fuel subsidy “is inimical to the growth of Nigeria.”
He admonished Tinubu to put up temporary measures to cushion the immediate effect on the economy and appealed to Nigerians to endure the ‘temporary hardships,’ assuring that there would be a multiplication of dividends of democracy.
The statement read in part, “I’m an optimist. The greatness of Nigeria should be our collective assignment and happiness. The subsidy system is an organised crime to enrich a few rich Nigerians. It’s inimical to the growth and survival of our dear country. No government can survive in Nigeria by paying subsidies on petrol consumption.
“Subsidy removal is a blessing in disguise. Tinubu is a leader with unquantifiable administrative prowess. Nigerians should exercise patience with him. All his major contenders in the election have earlier pledged subsidy removal during their respective party campaigns. Let’s be honest and patriotic by supporting this government to succeed.
“The president should fast track the implementation of a national palliative that will decimate the immediate effect of subsidy removal on Nigerians.
“Tinubu is a national asset and a pride. We have given Nigerians our best from the South-west. We exercise no doubts in his administrative prowess for a renewed hope. Nigerians are safe under him.
“I appeal to Nigerians most especially the labor union to give President Tinubu the benefit of the doubt. Industrial action and protests will do more harm than good to our economy. He needs our cooperation to cut wastage and strengthen our economy.”
