Governors of the states of the federation have expressed 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, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) led by its chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday to pay a courtesy call on the President during which time z took turns to speak
Expressing delight at the subsidy-removal decision and Tinubu’s all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship, they congratulated him for tackling the fuel subsidy behemoth, promising to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision.
According to a statement issued by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director, Information, President 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.
He advised the political leaders to downplay their differences and jointly focus on alleviating the sufferings and pains 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,’’ Tinubu said.
The President stated that the nation should be seen as one big family, adding: “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 results.”
Tinubu said good governance would safeguard the future of democracy, noting: “Present in this room is our diversity in culture and politics, but we are one nation. The unity and stability of the country rest upon us.
“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 that 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 assured them that he would maintain an open-door policy.
