By: Ganiyu Olayinka
President Bola Tinubu has defended his removal of the fuel subsidy, saying Nigeria cannot reverse the policy and return to what he called “Egypt.”
He spoke on Monday at “Together Till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy,” a forum organised by the City Boy Movement with the “Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria” movement at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The City Boy Movement is a political support group campaigning for his re-election in 2027, and his son, Seyi Tinubu, is its patron. The President praised his son at the event.
The “Egypt” argument
Tinubu told the group that seeing them reminded him why he contested for the presidency and kept working to improve the country. He acknowledged that the past three years had been hard and that his administration had taken tough decisions.
He rejected opposition calls to restore the subsidy, likening the situation to the scriptural account of Moses and the Israelites leaving Egypt. “You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt. We wake up with ideas, original thoughts and deep thinking to move this country forward. With your energy and support, we will never go back to Egypt,” he said.
He said he has no regrets and believes the economy is heading in the right direction. He cited China’s reported growth of about 4.6 per cent as a sign that Nigeria is in good company.
“You are not campaigning for me”
Tinubu urged supporters to see 2027 as a contest over the country’s future, not just his own ambitions. “Nigeria must win this election before any candidate does. You are not campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future, and that future is Renewed Hope. There is nothing that will push us back,” he said.
He recalled the economic problems he inherited, including trouble meeting financial obligations, debts to airlines, low foreign reserves and excessive printing of currency. His government, he said, has carried out tax reforms and other measures. He also reaffirmed his commitment to improving education and ending lengthy strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Praise for the City Boy Movement
Tinubu commended the movement for building a nationwide network of members across states, local governments, wards and polling units, and highlighted its call centre and City Boy Care initiative as ways of engaging young Nigerians and responding to community needs. He thanked youth groups in Nigeria and abroad for defending his administration and explaining its policies.
He assured young supporters that they would have a role in the country’s future, and cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said has supported more than one million students. He praised Seyi Tinubu for organising young people without seeking a political title or public office, but urged him to work harder and set an example. He also encouraged young Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and take part in the electoral process.
Shettima defends reforms
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the economy could have collapsed if the government had avoided difficult decisions. He put growth at 4.43 per cent last quarter and said foreign reserves are approaching $60 billion. He acknowledged that Nigerians have faced hardship but said things could have been worse without the government’s interventions.
He expressed confidence that new measures to tackle agricultural challenges and lower food prices would be introduced in the coming weeks. He cited infrastructure investment and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as part of efforts to reposition the economy.
The movement’s pitch
City Boy Movement Director-General Francis Shoga said Nigerian youths are ready to support national development through organised participation and public service. He described the group as a network committed to unity, patriotism and the Renewed Hope agenda, aiming to inform young people, explain government policies, point to opportunities and encourage them to take part in national development.
Discover more from CLARITYNEWSNG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
