President Bola Tinubu assured the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria on Thursday that his administration is not afraid of protests. His primary concern, however, lies with the potential impact on ordinary citizens and the damage that could result.
Youth groups have planned a national protest on August 1 to address the ongoing hardship and high cost of living in the country.
During a meeting with traditional rulers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu stated, “Nigeria is on the path of recovery. You have heard it from the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun. We are not afraid of protests. Our concern is the ordinary people and the damages that will be done. I cannot forget the brand new buses burnt down in Lagos; now we are complaining about transportation. That is the problem. Thank you for talking to the citizens.”
The President also highlighted improvements in security and ongoing efforts to enhance it. “Security is getting better, but we cannot take our eyes off the camera because it takes one accident for things to flare up. We are managing it,” he said.
He emphasized that his administration is implementing measures to support education and consumer credit to boost the economy and improve purchasing power. “We have created instruments to support the students so they get education and consumer credit to expand the economy, to rejuvenate the economy within a short period. We are still recalibrating our oil usage,” he stated.
Tinubu reiterated his commitment to explaining economic reforms and their projected benefits, remaining open to dialogue for the nation’s development. “We are sending money to the local governments. I addressed the governors today on that issue. I have been distributing fertilizer, rice, and other items to support citizens’ recovery. I assure you, Nigerians, we are looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. This economy will be revived, will survive, and prosper,” he emphasized.
The President assured the nation that the economy is on a gradual but steady path to recovery and that his administration will do more to meet the needs of the people.
During the meeting, traditional rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, conveyed their concerns for citizens and the need for more attention to their plight.
Tinubu acknowledged the responsibilities he took on and expressed his commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges with diligence and honesty. “I have no excuse not to do the job with sincerity of purpose and honesty. I have committed myself to it diligently, and I will never look backwards,” he said.
He discussed the need to activate the Bank of Agriculture and address issues such as flooding and banditry, emphasizing the importance of studying the economic viability of infrastructure projects before embarking on them.
The Sultan of Sokoto appreciated the President for the open discussion, stating that traditional rulers would inform their communities about the government’s efforts. The Ooni of Ife also thanked Tinubu for inviting key officials to brief them on the state of the economy, expressing support for the President’s initiatives.
“We heard from the GCEO of NNPCL, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget, and the NSA. We will get back to our various communities and let our people know because none of us locks our palaces,” the Ooni added.
