Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, has called on Nigerians to be patient with the administration’s economic reforms, emphasizing the need to commend the president’s commitment to difficult yet necessary policies.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Dare defended Tinubu’s bold decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and float the naira, describing them as essential measures to reshape the nation’s economy.
“The fuel subsidy was draining this country,” Dare stated, noting that a small group of individuals had previously benefited from billions in subsidy funds. “Every president said they would stop subsidy. None of them did. Let’s give this man some credit. We might not like it, but he’s taking on a challenge that others have avoided.”
Recalled that President Tinubu eliminated the fuel subsidy during his inauguration and subsequently floated the naira in a bid to stabilize the economy. These changes, however, have caused fuel prices to jump from around N200 per litre to over N1,000, placing a strain on millions of Nigerians who rely on fuel for daily activities. The sharp increase has led to economic protests in August and October, calling for a review of Tinubu’s policies as inflation and living costs soar.
Despite the backlash, Dare highlighted Tinubu’s dedication to governance and his determination to address the economic challenges head-on. “This is a man who works tirelessly,” Dare said. “He burns the midnight oil while others are out relaxing. I worked with him for seven years, and we’d often sleep at 4, 5, or even 6 in the morning.”
Watch the video below:
https://x.com/channelstv/status/1852064842469048393?t=fdcWxwAFHsMD895FnRGHVw&s=19
While Tinubu acknowledges the hardship caused by these reforms, he remains steadfast, urging Nigerians to bear with the temporary pains, with the promise that the policies will lead to long-term economic benefits.
