Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that due to the myriad of problems confronting the country, the early days of his administration might not be rosy however, he is confident that Nigerians will be happy in the end.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the Jumat prayer and lecture as part of activities lined up for the 29th of May 29 handover ceremony, Tinubu who was represented by the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, pointed out that he was aware they were short of time, and that delay might compound the deteriorating situation of the country.
According to him, the issue of subsidy removal and the multiple exchange rate system among others have become a serious challenge that the administration must surmount in record time.
He said, ‘Tinubu is a fair-minded person. He will do justice to Nigeria irrespective of affiliation with political parties, religious and tribal background. We are united by our common heritage of poverty and insecurity among others. This is time for all of us to form a single force.
‘Ours is a great nation waiting to unleash its great potential to the world. China was once called a sleeping giant but today, China had woken up. Nigeria needs to wake up. We are calling on all of you to pray for us for God’s guidance. I want to assure you that Tinubu will hit the ground.’
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He added that; ‘We do not have the luxury of time. The challenges facing us are getting worse. We are living in a pressing time. Rest assured that in the fullness of time, Nigeria will pay glowing tributes to us. The starting point might not be rosy let me be very honest with you.
‘Oil subsidy is albatross on our neck. The multiple exchange rate system is a drain on the national economy. There are certain decisions the president-elect will take but in the fullness of time, Nigerians will not only appreciate but also celebrate us.’
He, however, promised that women would be well represented and compensated in the incoming administration.
‘To my sisters, be rest assured you would be well represented in the incoming administration. Not only this, I promise you, you will be well compensated,’ he said.
On his part, outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari said the economic, security and other problems faced under his watch were a global phenomenon.
Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said that the way Nigerians handled the problems showed that they have surmount other challenges.
He said, ‘The problems we have had within the economic, security, and social sector are not peculiar to us. The potentials are always there to make the country great. How we managed during COVID-19 and the Russian /Ukrainian war among others have shown how Nigerians can come out of difficult situations.’
He urged Nigerians to put aside their differences in the polls aside and support the incoming administration.