{
  "id": 15912659,
  "title": "Wike defends Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/wike-defends-tinubus-removal-of-petrol-subsidy-15912659",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T16:24:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/wike-defends-tinubus-removal-of-petrol-subsidy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has defended President Bola Tinubu's decision to eliminate the petrol subsidy. Wike argued that previous administrations had acknowledged the policy was a scam but lacked the courage to end it. Speaking at a political stakeholders' forum in Abuja, Wike urged Nigerians to back Tinubu's administration ahead of the 2027 general elections. He noted that while the removal of the subsidy had contributed to rising living costs, prices would decrease as economic reforms stabilized. Wike also defended other economic policies, claiming state governors no longer required bank loans and public universities experienced no strikes during Tinubu's term. However, he acknowledged that the administration had not resolved all problems, but had made significant progress. Wike also called on the Peoples Democratic Party in the FCT to support Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 elections.",
  "summary": "FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has defended President Tinubu’s removal of the petrol subsidy, saying past leaders knew it was a scam but lacked courage to end it Read More: https://punchng.com/wike-defends-tinubus-removal-of-petrol-subsidy/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Wike defends Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/wike-defends-tinubus-removal-of-petrol-subsidy",
        "published": "2026-10-21T16:21:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "FCT secured for Tinubu in 2027 - Wike",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/fct-secured-for-tinubu-in-2027-wike",
        "published": "2026-10-21T17:09:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}