Tinubu: Beneficiaries of petrol subsidy will fight back — but we’ll defend Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu says those who benefitted from the old regime of payment of petrol subsidy and smugglers will fight back against his administration.

Tinubu spoke in Abuja on Friday during a meeting with state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House.

The president said his administration will defend Nigerians against those who “falsified records and became losers with the petrol subsidy removal”.

On May 29, 2023, Tinubu, in his inauguration speech, announced the immediate suspension of payment of petrol subsidy.

“As we are fighting corruption, smugglers, and old subsidy beneficiaries, they most certainly will fight back,” Tinubu was quoted in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson.

“All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy (on petroleum products) removal, they will fight back.

“But we will defend our people. The treasury belongs to the people, and that sacred trust must not be abused.”

Tinubu urged the APC state chairmen to mobilise Nigerians for the national identification number (NIN) registration.

The president added that without NIN, social intervention programmes will not be backed by verifiable data.

Tinubu said his administration is working tirelessly despite the presence of “some agents of destabilisation” in the country.

“I urge the state chairmen that regardless of party affiliation, let us help citizens by mobilising them for NIN registration. Not just PVCs,” he said.

“Some are poor Nigerians who have not experienced formal education and have no understanding of what NIN is and how it will benefit their lives. We must teach them. We must care for them.

“Without NIN, we cannot embark on social security interventions for the vulnerable. We will be making faulty moves without accurate data and iron-clad, digital intervention structures.”

The president said his administration will improve on mechanised farming, adding that “agriculture and economic diversification provide the answers to our problems”.