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…… Urges Nigerians to re-elect Tinubu as President in 2027
…… Support Tinubu on removal of fuel subsidies
By Salihu Inusa, Maiduguri
The National President of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Yilwada Nantewe, on behalf of members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and stakeholders of the party, expressed her deep condolences and solidarity with the government and the people, especially the families of the miners who lost their lives recently while in the custody of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps in Niger State.
Nantewe stated this while briefing journalists at the end of their 3-day NWC retreat which took place in Maiduguri at the weekend, which was also attended by the party’s National Vice President (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori among other key stakeholders.
In an 8-point statement read by the National Chairman of the party, Nantewe urged all Nigerians to give their massive votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue the good works, especially the ongoing economic reforms and other developmental strides achieved in the last three and a half years under the current administration.
This is because the President has also thrown his weight behind President Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy, insisting that those calling for its removal are doing so to gain cheap political relevance, as according to him, if the subsidy is removed, payment of salaries of public servants and other development projects would be jeopardized.
“We in the APC are fully in favor of the removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu, this is because those calling for his removal are doing so to gain cheap political relevance, in fact, if the subsidy is removed, the payment of salaries of public servants and other development projects would be jeopardized,” he said.
The statement reads in part: “It is a pleasure to address you after the three-day retreat which saw the National Working Committee of the party together with the elected members of the NEC and other members of the party participating in this retreat together with the state branch president.
“After thorough discussion, we decided as follows at the meeting. First, we express our deepest condolences to the people of Niger State, the government and the good people of the State for the loss of 37 miners in the State. Our prayers and hearts are with the people of Niger State for that loss.
“Number two, during the retreat, the party also delved into its functioning at the state level, national level, state level, local level, right down to the constituency unit. And after reviewing the performance of the party, we gave a clean bill of health to the APC as a party. We firmly believe that the party is strong, healthy, prepared and oiled for the 2027 general elections.
“Number three, we passed a vote of confidence on our presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON and for all other candidates of our party who were elected during the primary elections for the 2027 general elections. We firmly believe that we are producing some of the most credible, most acceptable and most prepared candidates to be elected to serve the people of Nigeria.
“Number four, we have decided to continue reconciliation where there is a need to do so. That efforts will continue in all chapters, at the state level, at the local government level and also at the district level. We encourage state chapters to set up a reconciliation committee where they know they have not done so, to ensure that we consolidate the party towards victory and also sustain the gains that we have made in previous elections.
“We have also decided and wish to appreciate Nigerians for the massive support they have given us – a very organic support they have given to the party both in the party and in government. On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the GCFR and our party, we extend our warm greetings and appreciation to all Nigerians for the kind support they have given to this party over the last three years.
“We call on all Nigerians, our supporters and our members to come out en masse to support our President and re-elect him for a second term and all our candidates in the 2027 general elections. We have done well, the party has done well and we believe we deserve a second term for Mr President.
Last, but not least: we want to express our gratitude to the good people of Borno State and the Borno State Government for hosting us and for the warm welcome they have given us. They have made Borno State a home for all of us. We want to thank the governor, Governor Babagana, Zulum, for providing everything we needed to ensure this retreat was a success. Having said that, I also want to thank the press for the coverage you have given us. Thank you and God bless you,” said Nantewe Yilwada.
In an interview with journalists regarding statements attributed to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, circulated on social media and conventional media, calling on the president to consider the sufferings, quote unquote, of Nigerians, especially to lower the price of fuel, Nantewe said: “Our party has responded to this. You have to go back and listen to what Morka, the party’s PR officer responded to. The ADC presidential candidate said he wants to return, the fuel subsidy when he comes to power. And we ask ourselves some questions: Before the federal government decided to remove the subsidy, there were several factors in place. Number one: the government was going into debt to pay for the subsidy.
“There was no money available even to pay the subsidy. And we borrowed until we could meet the payment regime again. During that time, if you remember, the Central Bank failed to meet its obligations. The airlines had to suspend arriving in Nigeria, the international airlines.
“Most of the payments owed to foreign investors were none, you know, the CBN couldn’t meet the obligations. We took loans until we sold our crude oil early to get the subsidy. At one point, we couldn’t even get the subsidy, even with all the alternatives. We went to the extent of printing by ways and means at the Central Bank over $30 trillion to ensure we met – it’s not even the cost of oil, just to meet Over 30 states couldn’t pay salaries and pensions And what we said: after eliminating the subsidy, all states can now pay salaries and pensions. No state is left behind in this regard.
“Today, if you give back the subsidies, it means that you are saying that states should not pay salaries again. And what suffering will you bring to Nigerians if you do not pay salaries all over the country? That is number one. Number two: the ways and means that they used to pay even salaries that were not even enough will no longer be available. So, if you take this step, number two, the student loan that we gave to reduce the suffering of Nigerians will also be removed. It will be removed. It means that the student loan will not be there. Number three: the projects that we are doing across the country, for example, we have the coastal road, we have the gas that we are bringing to the north, we have already passed Abuja, we are heading towards Kaduna, and you know, that gas will come with what energy, it will come with fertilizers, it will come with CNG, all of these are aimed at alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, and it means that those projects will be suspended the ports of Lagos and Port Harcourt which will go from Maradi to Kano to Maradi in. Niger in Niger Republic, to ensure that we increase Nigeria’s revenue because all the landlocked countries like Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Northern Cameroon, will benefit from this railway line and this will be income for Nigeria.
“It simply means that we are building a new economy for this country; it means that all these projects will stop. And all the beautiful projects that we are doing all over the country, they will all be cancelled. Now, it simply also means that the airlines will now stop coming again. That’s the implication. And this, you know, most Nigerians, before they fly into the UK, will have to go to Ghana, fly into Ghana and from Ghana, fly out of the country. We’ll take all of this back again. It simply means that everyone the investments that are taking place Nigeria, they will close down and go away too.
“Now, believe me, our reserves then went down to about 3 billion US dollars, less than 3 billion US dollars. Today, our reserves are over 55 billion billion US dollars. We have gone up more, I mean, from, uh, three 3 billion US dollars to 55 billion US dollars. It just means that we will start to consume what we have saved from our reserve and we will go down again. Now, you know, and let me put it in simple terms: imagine the queue, the hours of work that people were wasting just to make sure they have fuel. And most people who have students abroad, they know it’s a pain just to pay their tuition. Most Nigerians who have students abroad, they withdraw their students because they can’t meet the demand. Even with cards, people can’t do business in Nigeria from abroad because your card can only pay $100 in a day, you know, in a week, I mean they do more than 4,000. some even up to $40,000 in a month, in a quarter, I mean: $40,000 in a quarter.” Nantewe explained.
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