Return To Fuel Subsidy Shows ‘Serious Ignorance’ Of Governance — Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described calls for a return to fuel subsidy as a demonstration of “serious ignorance on governance and economy,” insisting that the subsidy regime had contributed to severe financial difficulties for states.

Tinubu spoke when Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, visited him at the Presidential Villa following Adeleke’s victory in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.

The President while speaking to Adeleke, said he had read the position of one of his political opponents who had proposed returning to fuel subsidy.

“Let’s look at the trajectory of the history. I saw one of my opponents now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it,” Tinubu said.

“That is demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy.”

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, had said that if elected President in the 2027 general elections, he would return fuel subsidy.

Tinubu, while defending his administration’s position on subsidy removal, recalled the financial difficulties faced by states before he assumed office.

“Before I came here, 27 states are unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers,” the President said.

He also referred to the situation in Osun State, telling Adeleke that he knew a man he had raised who was nicknamed “half salary.”

According to Tinubu, state and local governments had faced difficulties meeting their obligations, with governments struggling to pay workers and provide essential services.

“They come to the federal, capping hand, unable to do anything. Salary you pay for each families. They were at the local governments.

“They are in the states. We are at the concentration of population. They are in the states.”

The President said governments had responsibilities to provide infrastructure and essential services for Nigerians, including road networks, housing, school rehabilitation, hospitals and healthcare.

He also listed the resuscitation of healthcare services, training of teachers and training of health workers to protect vulnerable families among the responsibilities of government.

“Take out the president. We got every other person. Ask common men, their families, to feed the infrastructure you embark upon on the road network, housing, school rehabilitation, hospital, health care pronouncements, resuscitation of health care, training of teachers, training of health workers to protect our vulnerable families,” Tinubu said.

He said such responsibilities formed part of Adeleke’s mandate as governor, noting that the people of Osun State had expressed their preference by re-electing him.

“It’s part of your responsibility. And the people of fortunate states pronounce their judgment on you, that they love you. They want you to govern. So you’re going back to govern,” the President said.

Tinubu’s remarks came as he urged Adeleke to use his victory to promote reconciliation, unity, peace, stability, democracy and the rule of law.

The President told Adeleke that his victory was not about conquering anyone but winning an election, stressing that the outcome should be used to strengthen democratic values.

“You did not conquer anybody. You won the election. That is the essence of democracy,” Tinubu said.

He urged Adeleke not to stigmatise his political opponents or make any individual a victim of his campaign.

“Don’t stigmatize any of your opponent,” the President said.

“Don’t make a single individual a victim of your campaign. Don’t. Not for you alone. Not for the sake of us all alone. For the generations to come.”

Tinubu also urged the governor to pursue reconciliation and expand his political reach, saying that the way he acted after the election was more important than how he celebrated his victory.

“All for the reconciliation, expand your coast. That is the only way you can give thanks to our people. Not the way you sang it or celebrated it.

“It’s the way you act it. Use me as an example. And I got here.”

The President told Adeleke that his emergence as governor, like his own emergence as President, was ultimately the wish of God and the people.

“God put me here. Where you are today, God put you there. Not the smartness of any of these people.

“It’s just their support, not their smartness. It’s the wish of God that prevailed and the wish of the people for you.”

Tinubu described Adeleke as being in a unique position to make history and urged him to use the opportunity to promote unity, peace and stability.

“You are in a very, very unique position to make history, promote unity, peace, and stability. Use it,” he said.

The President also commended Adeleke for his mobilisation efforts during the election.

“And you did a very good mobilization with your team. Very good job,” Tinubu said.

He urged the governor to promote democracy, stability and the rule of law.

“Promote democracy. Promotes stability.

“Promotes rule of law.”

Tinubu further said that Nigeria’s governments at different levels had responsibilities to meet the needs of citizens, particularly through infrastructure and public services.

He stressed that the country’s resources and government efforts should be directed towards improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and their families.

The President also said Adeleke had been given another opportunity by the people of Osun State to govern and urged him to make the most of it.

He cautioned against actions that could deepen political divisions, stressing that building unity was important not only for the present generation but also for generations to come.

Tinubu concluded by expressing satisfaction with his discussion with the Osun governor.

“I’m so happy that we have this talk,” he said