During an encounter with Nigerians in Paris, France, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described his emotional reaction to being named the election winner. Tinubu highlighted the withdrawal of petroleum subsidies after attending the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, emphasising that it was not initially included in his inauguration address on May 29, 2023.
Tinubu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring about change in Nigeria and emphasised the importance of boldness in dealing with challenges like as the subsidy. Reflecting on his triumph, he claimed that he was overcome with delight and was unsure how to use his newfound authority to assist the country. The president discussed debating his speech with advisors, including Wale Edun, before opting to announce the subsidy’s termination.
Tinubu explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) initially mistook the surprising statement for a joke. He emphasized the government’s resolve to eliminate the subsidy, criticizing the practise of enriching a few individuals, facilitating smuggling, and subsidizing neighboring countries.
It is important mentioning that President Tinubu did announce the abolition of gasoline subsidies in his presidential inauguration address during his inauguration ceremony on May 29, 2023.