I’ll deliver on my promises inspite of challenges, Tinubu tells Nigerians

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told Nigerians that he will deliver on the promises he made inspite of the challenges currently facing the country.

Tinubu said this on Wednesday in his address to Muslims to usher in the New Islamic Year while imploring them to imbibe the important values of patience, perseverance, and faithfulness, which were the hallmarks of Prophet Muhammad.

He also urged the public to engage in prayers and supplications to God Almighty to direct and protect the path to greatness and prosperity of Nigeria.

“As we persevere and struggle to confront our present challenges and the temporary pain we experience, I enjoin you to remain hopeful that there is light and prosperity at the end of the tunnel,” Tinubu said.

“My team and I are leaving no stone unturned in our bid to deliver on the promises we made, in spite of the present difficulties.

“As we usher in the New Islamic Year, I urge you all to engage in prayers and supplications to God Almighty to direct and protect our path to greatness and prosperity in Nigeria.”

Tinubu’s message came at a time Nigerians are groaning over the increase in the price of petrol which has further spiked the cost of living in the country.

Tinubu during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023 said that subsidy on petrol was no longer feasible and has been removed.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) thereafter set the new prices per litre across the country which surged to N617 per litre in the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja and N568 in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has, however, rejected the new selling pump price of petrol per litre for N617.

The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, speaking during an interview said that Nigerians are being deceived on the issue of petrol pricing.

Ajaero while rejecting the new pump price of fuel further said that the masses are being punished unnecessarily.

“President Bola Tinubu’s administration is toying with Nigerians and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is only being clever by half,” the NLC president said.

“If the government withdrew subsidies of petroleum products and suddenly, while we are about to start committee meetings, there is another price increase, why then will government seek a court injunction and use other measures if it is not their business?

“It seems we have entered a reign where Nigerians are being punished unnecessarily and where lies are coming up everywhere.

“NNPCL cannot import and say the commodity is imported by marketers, that is not true,” Ajaero said.

Reacting to the increase of fuel pump prices from N540/litr to N617/litr, NNPCL described the development as “market forces at play.”

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari offered the explanation after he met with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Kyari who spoke with State House Correspondents, the problem is not a shortage of supply of product, rather the forces of demand and supply in the marketing value chain was simply taking effect.

He said importers of fuel product were gaining confidence in the system, noting that prices were bound to go up or down from time to time.

“I don’t have the details this moment. But we have the marketing wing of our company. They adjust prices depending on the market realities,” Kyari said.

“This is really what is happening; this is the meaning of making sure that market regulate itself so that prices will go up and sometimes they will come down. This is what we have seen and in reality this is how the market works.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Tuesday, however, urged Nigerians to bear the pains of the removal of subsidy on petrol because he believes the country will reap the gains.

Akume while soliciting support for the President Tinubu administration said he is sure a rosy future awaits Nigerians despite their sufferings.

He gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the North Central People’s Forum (NCPF), led by Sardauna Plateau, Senator Jeremiah Useni.

“The living conditions of Nigerians would substantially improve after the negative impact on the cost of living on the commoners caused by the removal of oil subsidy,” Akume said.

“This government will not disappoint Nigerians. The President means well but we can go wrong. When we go wrong, correct us.”

He said the bold steps taken by President Tinubu have positively impacted the economy and sent positive signals to policymakers, both local and international as an indication that the federal government meant business.