State governors yesterday expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and other early policy initiatives of the administration.
The governors, who took turns to speak when the president hosted members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, at the State House, expressed happiness at the president’s subsidy-removal decision, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship.
According to a statement by the media office of the State House, the governors congratulated President Tinubu for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.
Tinubu had earlier called on the governors to collaborate with the federal government in tackling the menace of poverty in the country, saying the level of impoverishment was unacceptable.
The president also advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings of the people.
“We can see the effects of poverty on the faces of our people. Poverty is not hereditary; it is from society. Our position is to eliminate poverty. Set aside partisan politics; we are here to deliberate about Nigeria and nation-building,’’ he said, adding that the nation should be seen as one big family.
“We are a family occupying one house, and sleeping in different rooms. If we see it that way and push forward, we will get our people out of poverty. A determined mind is a fertile ground for delivering on results,’’ he said.
The president said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.
“We are in a democracy and we have to nurture the democracy. It is a hard-earned system and not easy to manage. If anyone thinks it is easy, look at other nations who are over a hundred years in democracy.
“We have managed ourselves very well to have a democracy. We have campaigned and arrived at our present destination. We must work for our people,’’ President Tinubu told the governors, while assuring them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
The president said he was prepared to share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.
“We need synergy to fight other vices like corruption. We are trying to get smugglers out of the way. How do we work together to galvanize the economy, and put resources in place. We must think and perform. After removing subsidy, there must be savings accruing to the Federation Account,’’ he added.
Tinubu said the education sector must be improved as part of efforts to reduce poverty and penury:
“How do we address the unacceptable level of poverty? How much are we investing in education, which is the only tool against poverty? I am ready to collaborate with you.’’
The president also drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation, without thinking it’s only for those facing it.
The chairman of the NGF and governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the president for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that the governors would support the federal government in meeting the targets of human development.
“The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,’’ he said.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and new secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, had 22 governors and two deputy governors from Edo and Niger States, in attendance.
The governors made suggestions highlighting the plight of citizens in their states, assuring the president of their support in proffering solutions through the National Economic Council.
Tinubu Meets Oil Marketers, Directs NEC To Work On Interventions
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed the National Economic Council (NEC) led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to begin the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the people.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun stated this after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Addressing correspondents after the meeting, he said the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end subsidy payment, adding that Tinubu’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the hemorrhage that had bedeviled the country for decades.
The governor said that while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off as there can be no gain without pain.
The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 mass transit buses as a way to help the success of the initiative, as they expressed hope that other well-meaning corporate bodies do the same.
The managing director of Northwest Petroleum and Gas Company Limited, Winifred Akpani, disclosed this to State House correspondents.
She said, “And we all collectively agree that we’re going to work at providing real mass transit buses that work, the ones that run on compressed natural gas and diesel interchangeably, and hopefully we’re going to start with about 50 to 100. And that is in the very, very short term. And these are locally produced. So you see that we’re also providing jobs, a lot more jobs, because we’re using local assembly plants; we are not importing this.
“That is less pressure on our foreign exchange, and that’s more jobs for Nigerians. And Mr President was very happy with that. And we’re really relieved and thank the president because he has a perfect understanding of a lot of the issues.
“So, like I said, we’re really, really grateful that we’ve had this interaction, and we’ll take it from there. And hopefully, everybody here and Nigerians at large will begin to see that even if this sounded very difficult, it’s a very, very good move, and very courageous.”
The Northwest Petroleum and Gas MD proposed that Nigeria should diversify its energy sources beyond petroleum products and explore the abundance of gas resources in the country.
. . . Meets Lawmakers-elect Over 10th NASS Leadership Today
Also, President Tinubu will today interact with senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives concerning the presiding officers of the National Assembly.
The notice of the meeting was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Senate and read by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege who presided over proceedings yesterday.
Even though the reason for the meeting was not included in the letter, sources say the meeting might not be unconnected with the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier endorsed former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, and senator representing Kano North, Barau Jibrin, as Senate president and deputy Senate president respectively.
In the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas and Ben Kalu are APC’s preferred candidates for the office of the speaker and deputy speaker.
But former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, the Senate chief whip, Orji Kalu, Osita Izunaso and Senator Sani Musa have united against the party’s choice.
Senate To Shift Valedictory Session Over Parley With President
Meanwhile, a planned meeting of President Bola Tinubu with senators-elect and members-elect in the incoming 10th National Assembly has forced the Senate to postpone its valedictory session from today to Saturday, June 10, 2023.
The outgoing Senate President Ahmad Lawan yesterday confirmed that the Senate had rescheduled its valedictory session to Saturday.
Lawan had earlier announced on Tuesday that the Upper Legislative Chamber would hold its valedictory session today.
But the Senate president told members of the Senate Press Corps (SPC) during a farewell meeting yesterday that the shift in the date was due to a scheduled meeting between President Tinubu and lawmakers-elect of the incoming 10th National Assembly slated for today.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Senate held plenary on Tuesday and on Wednesday.
“By the grace of God, we will still hold a plenary tomorrow (Thursday) and then our valedictory session will be on Saturday. It is because tomorrow, Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be meeting with the Senators-elect and Members-elect at 2pm.
“And we believe that a session as significant and as important and as historical and memorable as the valedictory session of the Senate requires a whole day, not one, two, three hours; and therefore we push it to Saturday,” Lawan said.
The 9th Senate officially ends its four-year tenure on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Lawan also hinted that the incoming 10th Senate would be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
