…Says fuel price’ll drop soon
…Tasks monarchs on subjects seeking 10th NASS positions
…Assures of open-door policy
…We’re 100% in support of your govt – Traditional rulers
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday urged traditional rulers in the country to counsel their subjects interested in elective positions in the 10th National Assembly to manage their ambitions and create harmony within the legislative arm of the government.
He made the call at an interactive session with the traditional rulers under the aegis of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN).
The president said he is ready to work with any elected representative from the National Assembly, stressing that the Nigeria project is of paramount importance to him.
“Nigeria must survive. Nigeria must develop. Nigeria must make progress,” he said.
On the decision to remove fuel subsidy, for which various speakers at the meeting expressed support, the president appealed to the traditional leaders to persuade Nigerians to have faith and that the pump prices of fuel would eventually come down.
Subsidy removal
Speaking about the decision to remove fuel subsidy, for which various speakers at the meeting expressed support, the president appealed to the traditional leaders to persuade Nigerians to have faith and that the pump prices of fuel will eventually come down.
“I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have the potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing.”
While acknowledging the concerns on the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, he said any road block on the way of the progress of Nigerians would be removed by his government.
“On the lamentations about the capital projects; where will the money come from if we don’t protect our resources and our boundaries? You cannot have developments without capital projects.”
On security, the president reiterated his pledge to Nigerians to prioritise the sector until every Nigerian “goes to sleep with their two eyes closed.”
He said the unity and togetherness of the country “cannot be compromised,” stressing that every region of the country would get what it was due to it.
“We are going to tackle youth unemployment. It is only when we have the prosperity for the country that we can create jobs that will employ our youths.”
Oil theft
Condemning crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region by a “tiny percentage” of the population, President Tinubu said it was counterproductive to the growth of the economy.
“We need to tame those involved in this sabotage and we will work as hard as possible to ensure that the diversity of this country is used for its prosperity, growth and stability,” he said.
He told the traditional rulers that with the campaigns and elections over, he was primed for governance, and that his government had already signed a law that extends the retirement age of judicial officers from 65 to 70 years, while also addressing pension reforms.
On electricity, the president said a constitutional amendment signed into law “now allows Nigeria’s 36 states to generate electricity.”
“That’s devolution of power and that should be our contribution to the development projects you are looking for and we will continue in ways that will help our people.”
The president also assured the traditional rulers that the present administration would run an open-door policy that “is ready to listen to the yearnings of Nigerians toward transforming the country’s rich potentials to reality.”
“We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go. That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have. We may not have it right 100 per cent of the time, but we must get it right 90 per cent of the time for this country.”
Monarchs’ concerns/pledges
Responding to the issues raised by the traditional rulers on the challenges facing the country, President Tinubu said “‘worry not because the country is in good hands.”
According to the president, the present administration is very conscious of the expectations of Nigerians.
He thanked members of NCTRN for their early visit and prayers for the success of his administration, saying, “Without your prayers and support, I cannot stand before you as president and I thank you for your support during the campaigns.”
In their separate remarks, the chairman and co-chairman of NCTRN, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, pledged the support and loyalty of traditional rulers from the six geo-political zones to President Tinubu.
They assured the president of their continued prayers in his resolve to move the country forward under his Renewed Hope agenda.
“We are 100 per cent in support of your government and we believe in the will of the Almighty Allah that you will move this country forward,’’ the Sultan said, while congratulating him and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their election victories, peaceful transition and assumption of office.
“We will contribute our quota to the development of the country once you reach out to us,” the Sultan said.
The Ooni of Ife expressed delight that the country had remained united and focused despite the challenges.
Recounting that the president had said he deserved no pity from anyone because he asked for the job, the Ooni appealed to President Tinubu not to underestimate the power and reach of traditional rulers in complementing the programmes and visions of the new government.
Tinubu and Shettima listened to presentations from representatives from the six geo-political zones, including the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Ibn Umar Al Amin El-kanemi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Amanayabo of Nembe, Edmund Daukoru; Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse; and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.