Wike defends Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has defended President Bola Tinubu's decision to abolish the petrol subsidy, stating that all previous administrations recognized the policy as fraudulent but were unwilling to end it. Speaking at a political stakeholders' forum in Abuja, Wike encouraged Nigerians to support Tinubu's administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He reminded listeners that Tinubu's inauguration on May 29, 2023, saw the announcement of the subsidy removal. Wike acknowledged the high cost of living but expressed confidence that prices would decline as the administration's economic reforms stabilized. He also defended the administration's economic policies, noting that state governors no longer needed to secure bank loans and that public universities had not experienced strikes during Tinubu's tenure.

Wike admitted that the administration had not resolved all the country's issues but claimed progress had been made in addressing several problems. He urged PDP members in the FCT to back Tinubu and APC candidates in the 2027 elections, stating that opposition party supporters were already mobilizing for the President. The minister assured party members that the campaign would provide necessary logistics for mobilization.