Governors of the 36 states of the federation, and oil marketers, on Wednesday, backed, for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and other early policy initiatives of the administration.
The governors, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), expressed their support to President Tinubu during the first meeting the President was having with them at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The state chief executives, who took turns to speak at the meeting were led by the NGF Chairman and governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who expressed happiness with the President’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership, and statesmanship.
They congratulated President Tinubu on tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.
Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the menace of poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment was unacceptable.
The President advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains of the people.
“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,” he said.
President Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family.
“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 results,” he added.
The President said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.
“Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.
“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 told the governors while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
The President said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
“What do we do in the face of crushing poverty? What do we do with our development goals? We took the bull by the horns by removing the elephant in the room before the nation sinks.
“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 galvanise the economy, and put resources in place? We must think and perform. After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,” he noted.
Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury:
“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,” he added.
The President also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.
Speaking, AbdulRahma thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development.
“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,” he said.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger states, in attendance.
The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the President of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.
Oil marketers backs subsidy removal, as Shettima-led NEC begins to work on palliatives
Meanwhile, the President has directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to devise an approach and begin the process of working on interventions to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on the Nigerians.
Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, stated this after leading some major oil marketers under the aegis of the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) on a courtesy visit to the president at the State house.
Addressing correspondents after the meeting, Governor Abiodun who was a former chairman of the oil marketers association, stated that the marketers expressed solidarity with the President for removing the N4trn subsidy burden, a move that can enhance the FAAC allocation to states.
The association pledged its support for the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidies.
The association’s chairperson, Winifred Akpani, said this at the end of a meeting with Tinubu.
She said the association would also support the government’s palliative measures by providing between 50 and 100 mass transit buses.
Akpani said the buses would be locally manufactured and would use Compressed Natural Gas as fuel.
“We pledge our support for President Tinubu in the bold decision of removing petrol subsidy. It is an idea that was long overdue. Removal of subsidy is not about making fuel costly and taking it out of the reach of Nigerians. It is about getting it right on the real issue of petroleum product subsidy.
“Who are those enjoying the subsidy? The subsidy ends up being enjoyed by those it was not meant for. We also spoke to the president about substitutes to petrol as well as creating an environment conducive for investments to thrive in the oil sector,” Akpani said.