Tinubu also begged Nigerians to endure, assuring the decision he took was necessary to save the country from going under
By Kehinde Okeowo
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to try and endure the initial hardship the recent fuel subsidy removal will bring, insisting it was a right step in the right direction.
He made the plea during his maiden Democracy Day address to the nation on Monday, saying he knew his action will affect the masses.
Tinubu, however, said the removal was initiated for the betterment of the entire country, as it was done to take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.
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The president went on to admit that the decision will bring a temporary discomfort but argued it was necessary to save the country from going under.
Speaking during the broadcast, he said: “I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.
“I admit that the decision will impose an extra burden on the masses of our people. Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country”.
Tinubu during his inaugural speech on May 29, told Nigerians to brace up for the immediate removal of the fuel subsidy.
A few days later, the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced a hike in the price of petroleum.