By Kolawole Ojebisi
From all indications, President Bola Tinubu’s comment on subsidy removal has stirred up the hornet’s nest as it has attracted angry comments from Nigerians.
Tinubu had spoken over the weekend at the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State.
Represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Waheed Egbewole, Tinubu said Nigerians were living a good life that was fake and capable of leading the country into a total economic collapse.
He said, “As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies.
“The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians. We are all aware of the fact that the poor and average Nigerians were the sufferers of what was supposed to give them succor and improved standard of living.
“Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken.
“The need to salvage the future of our children and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates,” he said.
Tinubu, who further noted that the policy of the fuel subsidy removal was already yielding results, stated that the country’s economy was also improving daily.
But no sooner had he made the comments than Nigerians took to social media to express their views.
Here are some of the comments by Nigerians:
“This is an unguarded statement from a man presiding over the affairs of the most populous nation in the continent of Africa. It’s simply shameful. People are suffering and this is all he could say? — Jamiu Salaam
“Many people died,some got mad while a lot can’t afford 3 square meals with this ill policy that you are running Mr president.you have inflicted pains and hardships to Nigerians.
Americans are enjoying not only fuel subsidy but also some others subsidies,I thought we are copying from them,and their currency (the almighty dollar) is as strong as the zuma rock,but they keep on asking you to devalue your own currencies.
The new incoming government has made up plans to cut off tax but you are here trying to add salt into our existing injury.God is watching and by his grace it will be well with us!” — Allhasan Ali Lawan.
“It’s just means Mr President came to punish Nigerians with his anti masses policies inflicted on the citizenry of this Country nothing more! Isaac Awoditoye Comrade
“Thank you Mr, President. I hope you are aware that 2027 is around the corner and I assure you people will vote you out from Villa due to removed of fuel subsidy and devalue of our currency” — Nuru M Tata.
“You need to console Nigerians considering the situation they are in right now not to mock them stylishly.The situation is getting out of hand by the day more especially in rural communities.” Bello Alhassan
“Our president has lost it all: compassion, kindness, fellow feeling. Everything. Every damn thing! We are in soup. How did we get here? — Bidemi Tolulope
