Minister: Tinubu on rescue mission, needs time to tackle decades of rot
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on rescue mission, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said yesterday.
He said the President needs time and support to tackle decades of accumulated rot in the system.
The minister, who urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration to find lasting solutions to the inherited economic challenges, some during an appearance on a national television monitored in Lagos.
He spoke against the backdrop of the protest against economic hardship being planned for tomorrow.
Emphasizing the complexity and historical depth of Nigeria’s economic issues, the minister said: “Mr. President, to the best of my knowledge, never campaigned to be a magician; he campaigned as a statesman, he campaigned on the basis of ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. Before hope could be renewed, it means it had dwindled.”
According to him, solving economic problems that had lingered for decades of mismanagement and lack of attention cannot be achieved overnight.
“What you see today is an accumulated mismanagement over the last 100, 60, 30 years,” he added.
Admitting that the economic policies – removal of petrol subsidy payments and the unification of forex windows – introduced by the government pushed up prices of basic commodities, including food and petrol, Tunji-Ojo said such reforms were necessary for economic prosperity.
“When you want to reboot hope that has been down, you need a bit of time, and we are on the right step. All the avenues of engagement and dialogue should be explored before a nationwide protest,” the minister.
Tunji-Ojo added: “Nigeria is going through a surgical process and will emerge healthy and strong. We are pleading for time.
“The President means well for the nation and has taken bold decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy which he described as a cancer.”
Noting that that rebuilding the economy requires patience and steadfast effort, the minister urged Nigerians to support the government’s initiatives aimed at long-term prosperity.
