President Bola Tinubu has explained his reasons behind the removal of fuel subsidy and the ousting of Godwin Emefiele, suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

TODAY POLITICS had reported that during his inauguration late last month, Mr Tinubu announced that his administration will not subsidise petroleum products as past administrations did.

Weeks later, he suspended Mr Emefiele before the former CBN chief was picked up and detained at the Abuja headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) where he is being investigated.

Explaining his reasons for the removal of subsidy even before the expiration date, the former Lagos governor said the payment, which he opposed its removal while in opposition, was now a scam.

During an interactive session with Nigerians in France on Friday, where he went for a financial summit, he explained that fuel subsidy is disincentive to growth and rewarded smugglers illegally transporting the commodity to neighbouring countries.

On why he suspended Mr Emefiele, he explained that the financial system under the ousted CBN chief was rotten and promised to revamp it.

“Then (before the suspension), the financial system was rotten. Few people were making away with our money and then you yourselves, stopped sending money home to our poor parents,” he said.

“That is gone now. The man (Emefiele) is in the hands of authorities; something is being done about that; they will sort themselves out.

“We have security challenges in the country. Maybe that is how they are fuelling insecurity; we have to look at everything. We will change the financial system; it will work for you.”

The president, who described Nigeria’s problems as enormous, also promised to work for those who did not vote for him during the February 25 election in which he was declared the winner.

“Whether you voted for me or you didn’t vote for me, I am your president. By the grace of God, I have to work on your behalf,” he said. “So, your President is here. I danced for it and I have to continue to be prepared for it.

“The challenges are enormous. But do we have hope? Yes. With perseverance, determination and persistence, we can achieve whatever we desire.

“I know the road and I’ve been through what many of you have been through outside the country. I’ve been in America and in the UK; I had been a night guard, security man and a door man in America. But I have achieved my aim.”

Bayo Onanuga, a member of the Presidential Transition Council has stated why the All Progressives Congress (APC) allocated two National Assembly leadership positions to the North-West geo-political zone.

Last week, the ruling party made public its zoning formula for the leadership positions of the incoming 10th National Assembly. The party allocated two positions to the North-West, leaving out the North-Central zone, an action that has sparked protests and criticism from legislators-elect.

The region made up of seven states of the federation got the slot of Deputy Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives with nominations of Barau Jibrin and Tajudeen Abbas respectively as the preferred candidates of the ruling party.

The APC micro-zoned the Senate Presidency to the South-South and nominated Godswill Akpabio, a former Niger Delta Affairs minister, for the position.

The South-East is expected to produce the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Benjamin Kalu has been recommended for the seat.

Apart from sidelining the North-Central region, the APC is also facing criticism from some of its legislators-elect who are threatening anti-party activities if their interests are not met.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, Onanuga said the North-West was allocated the two leadership positions at the lawmaking arm for voting massively for the party.

The director of the defunct media and publicity of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council said the region deserves to be compensated as the APC would have lost the three-horse race with the geo-political zone.

“The North West gave the APC the largest number of votes in the last election and I think it is fair that they are compensated,” Mr Onanuga asserted. “Without the North West, there is no way the APC would have won the election. So, as far as APC is concerned, you have to recognise that and compensate them accordingly.

“Of course they brought almost 2.7 million votes, but you know they lost quite a number of states, including the governorship in Kano and Zamfara.

“They are for local reasons, not because the people there didn’t like the APC. I think Zamfara people had a problem with Governor Bello Matawalle, but generally, the party did very well in the North West,” he added.

Speaking on the sidelining of the North-Central, the former director-general of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said “Well, there are still other positions; they have only mentioned four.”

Aderewah:
You stopped Awolowo, we forgave. You stopped MKO. We forgave because of your many apologies and compensation. Touch Tinubu’s win and watch us bring hellfire upon you. We are not raggedly ipob clowns you use python dance for. We will destroy whoever and whatever stands in the you away. You’re warned.

Image123:
Good, better, best. Because i don't hope that Tinubu works with someone so empty as Obi. Tinubu is so large hearted and forgiving, sometimes i wonder why he's not a Christian. But thanks to God, the people he wants to reconcile with are saying no.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has said he will not congratulate Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-Elect.

Mr Obi who contested and lost the top office to Mr Tinubu, was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as coming third in the disputed exercise.

The former Anambra State governor has disagreed, arguing that he won the Saturday exercise but was rigged out.

He vowed to reclaim his mandate using the instruments of the law through the judiciary.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the LP candidate said he will explore legal means, citing similar scenario that occurred when he sought to become Anambra governor.

He explained that he will not congratulate the former Lagos governor because Mr Tinubu does not deserve winning the Saturday exercise.

“I was once awarded a Prof by a school, but I turned it down because it is wrong & unethical to accept what you don’t deserve,” Mr Obi recalled. “I will not call to congratulate him (Tinubu) because he doesn’t deserve the win.

“If you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrive in office must be excellent,” he added.

MuchAdo:
Piiggiddioots and nonsense evidence

Piiggidiots amaka

lhordspy:
Ofcourse. Why wont you win. When the movement is driven by ethnic and religious sentiment instead of competence.

Every ram and chicken can contest so far he has got yiibo and sentimental Christian vote to depend on.

I Guess this is the new Nigeria you guys want. Nigeria that will be filled with inexperience, incompetent random people.

Nanorest:
More states in the north are coming which means Obi has already missed the first criteria to be declared winner

naijapips04:


There is no Lords work. Obi is getting zero votes in most Northern results. It's a clear APC win.

Kwakwanso only divided APC votes in Kano.

Buharifan:
Peter Obi is doing a great damage to Atiku.
Tinubu next president.

Buckeyemedia1:
That Apga Judas, other Nigerian tribes should vote for your Ipobian agenda?

Buckeyemedia1:
Dense Ipobian, you are posting/referring to a statement made in 1994 under Military rule?

Zombie.

BuharisBoy:
If Nigerian vote obi base on religious sentiment, it will be an error

CoronaVirusRelo:
Start agitating for Biafra

KingKO22:
All this gibberish just to defend Buhari betrayal

Thanksful:


😂

Tell us the scary purpose Yoruba tribalist

rickleye:


Dude that was 26 Years ago. And shortly after MKO's death . People are allowed to change positions.
I hope someone wont go dig up things you have said in the past to use against you.

Tflex01:


Go and get a bucket for your tears.

You will need it from Saturday evening.

BreconHills:


Most politicians use teleprompter- Obama, Biden Johnson, Sunak even Osinbajo.

Regarding the paper you posted up there - this is exactly why I and other well meaning Nigerians should vote BAT. We need a Federal Republic of states that can pursue the happiness and prosperity of their people. We do not need the monstrous over controlling entity We call Nigeria today.

It was Ironsi that created this monstrosity through Decree 34 of 1966 - the so called Unification Decree and it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will tear it down from May 29 2023.

No other leader believes in the power of the states as much as this man. He fought Obasanjo for it and the time has no come for Nigeria to become a true Republic of Federating states.

Thank you for sharing and God bless you.

Aldol:

Reality is hitting you. Get used to it that Tinubu is your president