Hardship: We’ll use good governance to tackle resistance to subsidy removal – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is deploying resources to critical sectors and areas that will impact on the welfare of Nigerians, saying he will use good governance to tackle beneficiaries of the old subsidy regime that will fight back.

Speaking at a meeting with the Forum of State chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja yesterday, the president assured Nigerians that his administration was working round the clock to improve their living conditions, and asked leaders at the grassroots level to encourage citizens to get their National Identification Number (NIN) for planning and government’s interventions.

Tinubu emphasised that the repositioning of the economy was a national priority, and urged party members not to wait for appointment before bringing good governance and exemplary civic engagement to Nigerians.

He said, “As we are fighting corruption, smugglers and old subsidy beneficiaries, they must certainly fight back. All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy on petroleum products removal will fight back.

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

“I urge the state chairmen that regardless of party affiliations, let us help citizens by mobilising them for NIN registration. 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.

“I have established a committee of governors, and it is headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima. It is working on what must be done to further lift our people.

“We need to give hope, and we are giving it to the country and our citizens. We are working hard, day and night, although some agents of destabilisation are present in the polity. Nigerians, with our focused support, shall defeat them,” the president said.