Fuel subsidy removal in Nigerians’ interest — Tinubu Support Group

Tinubu Support Group (TSG), Like-Mind Initiative, says the removal of fuel subsidies was done in the interest of Nigeria to avoid a total collapse of the nation’s economy.

Mr Augustine Esiekpe, the National Coordinator of the group said at a Dinner organized to celebrate the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja

He said immediately after the president announced that “fuel subsidies are gone’, there were queues at filling stations across the country, a development he said was unpatriotic.

“We noticed some development after the fuel subsidy removal; this was done in the interest of Nigerians so we can enjoy the real dividends of democracy.”

He urged Nigerians to support the initiative, adding that though it was a hard one, Nigerians should be patient, look at the bigger picture, and support it.

He said this was necessary in order to free Nigeria from the looming economic crisis, adding that the country had sunk trillions of naira into subsidizing fuel, which could have been used in other areas.

“We need to avoid the total collapse of the economy. We appeal to Nigerians to support Tinubu so that this subsidy that some have used to enrich themselves can now be free for Nigerians.

He said the poor Nigerians that the subsidy was meant for, do not enjoy it.

”A few Nigerians are profiting from it and enriching themselves at the expense of poor Nigerians,” he said

He said before the announcement on May 29, Tinubu had said many times during the campaign that subsidies would be removed, adding that Nigeria needed an honest and sincere leader like Tinubu to remove subsidies.

He enjoined the new administration to be focused, adding that Nigeria was blessed to have a president and vice president who were both experienced legislators.

“There is a new beginning that is about to happen; there will be prosperity, and something we have not felt for a long time will happen in Nigeria.

“I want us to have hope that things will get better; Tinubu will not leave us in darkness; this is not going to be business as usual. The time Nigerians could be taking for granted is over.

“We need a purposeful leader; we want to see progress; we want to see university reform, agriculture reform, health reform, and other reforms,” he said.

He urged the president to look into the cases of the support group, which had been neglected several times, adding that “the president should critically look into it.

According to him, these are individuals who have used their resources to support the president. They should be part of the government.

Mariah Olasheinde, Director, Media and Publicity if the group called for a 50 per cent representation in Tinubu’s administration

“We know Tinubu as a father and the bulk of his vote came from women

We want 50 percent and not 35 percent; we want to be in major areas.

She said women should come first in Tinubu’s cabinet, “and we hope it will happen; the reward system should be fair to us as supporters.”