…… Urges Nigerians to re-elect Tinubu as President come 2027
…… Back Tinubu on Fuel subsidy removal
By Salihu Inusa, Maiduguri
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Yilwada Nantewe has on behalf of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and stakeholders of the party extended their deep condolences and sympathy to the Government and people, especially families of Miners who lost their lives while in a custody of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps in Niger state recently.
Nantewe stated this while briefing Journalists at the end of their 3- Day NWC Retreat which took place in Maiduguri at the week end that was also attended by the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the party, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori among other key stakeholders.
In an 8-point communique which was read by the National Chairman of the party, Nantewe urged all Nigerians to give their massive votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue the good works, especially the ongoing economic reforms, and other developmental strides achieved in the last three and half years under the present administration.
This is as the Chairman also threw his weight behind President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, insisting that those clamoring for its removal are doing so to get cheap political relevance, as according to him, if subsidy is removed, payment of salaries of civil servants and other developmental projects would be jeopardized.
“We in APC are fully behind President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal, this is because, those clamoring for its removal are doing so to get cheap political relevance, infact, if subsidy is removed, payment of salaries of civil servants and other developmental projects would be jeopardized”, he said.
The Communique reads in part: “It is my pleasure to address you after the three days retreat that the National Working Committee of the party along with the elected members of NEC and other members of the party who are participating in the in this retreat along with the state chapter chairman.
“After exhaustive discussion, we resolved as follows in the meeting. Number one, we extend our deepest condolences to the people of Niger State, the government and the good people of the state over the loss of 37 miners in the state. Our prayers and heart with the people of Niger State over that lost.
“Number two, at the retreat, the party also have a deep dive into the party at the state, at the national, state, local government, ward down to polling unit. And after we review the performance of the party, we gave a clean bill of health to the APC as a party. We feel strongly that the party is strong, the party is healthy, the party is prepared and the party is oiled for the 2027 general election.
“Number three, we passed a vote of confidence on our presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON and for all the other candidates of our party that were elected during the primary election for the 2027 general election. We strongly believe that we produce some of the most credible candidates, most acceptable and most prepared to be elected to serve the people of Nigeria.
“Number four, we resolved to continue reconciliation where we need to make reconciliation. That the efforts will continue at all chapters, at the state, at the local government and also at the ward level. We encourage the state chapters to constitute reconciliation committee where they know they’ve not done it, to ensure that we consolidate the party towards winning and also sustain the gains that we have in the previous elections.
“We also resolved and we wish to appreciate Nigerians for the massive support that they’ve given us—very organic support they’ve given the party in both both the party and the government. On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and our party, we extend our warm regards and appreciation to all Nigerians for the kind support they’ve given this party for the last three years.
“We call on all Nigerians, our supporters, and our members, to come out enmasse to support our president and re-elect him for the second term and all our candidates in the 2027 general election. We’ve done well, the party has done well, and we believe that we deserve a second term for Mr. President.
Last, but not the least: We want to express our gratitude to the good people of Borno State and the government of Borno State for hosting us and for the warm reception that they gave us. They made Borno State a home to all of us. We want to thank the governor, Governor Babagana, uh, Zulum, for providing all that we needed to ensure that this retreat was a success. Having said that, I want to thank also the press for the coverage you’ve given us. Thank you, and God bless you”. Nantewe Yilwada stated.
In an interview with Journalists regarding statement credited to presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) trending on social media and the conventional media calling on the president to look at the sufferings, in quotes, of Nigerians, especially to bring down the fuel price Nantewe said: “Our party has responded to that. You need to go back and listen to what, Morka, the PR Officer of the party, responded.The ADC presidential candidate was saying that he wants to return, the fuel subsidy when he comes into power. And we ask certain questions: Before the federal government opted to remove the subsidy, there were several factors that were in place. Number one: Government was borrowing to pay subsidy.
“There was no money that was available to even pay the subsidy. And we borrowed until we could not meet up with the payment regime again. Within that period, if you recall, the Central Bank could not meet with her obligation meet with her obligations. The airlines had to suspend coming to Nigeria, international airlines.
“Most of the payments that were due for foreign investors were none, you know, CBN couldn’t meet with with the obligations. We borrowed until we even sold our crude in advance to meet up with subsidy. At a point, we couldn’t even meet up with subsidy even after all alternatives. We went as far as printing by ways and means in Central Bank of over 30 trillion to ensure that we meet up with—thats not even the cost of the oil, just to meet up with subsidy. Over 30 states could not pay salaries and pension. And what we said that: After we removed the subsidy, all states now can pay salaries and pension. No state is left behind in that respect.
“Today, if you are going to return subsidy, it means you are saying that the states should not pay salaries again. And what suffering are you going to bring to Nigerians when you don’t pay salaries across the country? That’s number one. Number two: The ways and means that they were using to even pay salaries that was not even sufficient will not be available again. So, if you take that step, number two, even the student loan that we’ve given to reduce the suffering of Nigerians will be removed. It means the student loan will not be there. Number three: The projects we are doing across the country, for example, we have the Coastal Road, we have the gas we are bringing to the North, we’ve already passed Abuja, we’re heading towards Kaduna, and you know, that gas will come with what? With energy, will come with fertilizer, will come with CNG. All these are aimed at easing the suffering of Nigerians, and it means that those projects will be suspended. The rail line that we are bringing from from from the ports in Lagos and in Port Harcourt that will head to Maradi to Kano down to Maradi in Niger in Niger Republic, to ensure that we boost the income of Nigeria because all landlocked countries like Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Northern Cameroon, they will benefit from this rail line. And that will be revenue income for Nigeria.
“It simply means that we are building a next economy for this country; it means those projects would all stop. And all the beautiful projects we are doing across the country, they will all go. Now, it simply means also that the airlines will now stop coming again. That’s the implication. And that will, you know, most Nigerians, before they fly to UK, they must go to Ghana, fly to Ghana, and from Ghana, they fly out of the country. We will resume that again. It simply means that all the investment that are in Nigeria, they will also close and go away.
“Now, believe you me, our reserve then has declined to just about 3 billion US dollars, less than 3 billion US dollars. Today, our reserve is over 55 billion billion US dollars. We’ve increased over I mean, uh, from, uh, three from from from 3 billion US dollars to 55 billion US dollars. It simply means that we’ll start consuming what we have saved from our reserve and go down again. Now, you know, and let me just put it in simple terms: Just imagine the queue, the man-hours that people used to waste just to make to ensure they have fuel. And for most people who are having students overseas, they know the suffering it is just to even pay school fees. Most Nigerians who are having students overseas, they withdrew their students because they couldn’t meet up with the demand. Even the cards, you recall, people could not do business in Nigeria from overseas because your card can only pay $100 in a day in, you know, in a week, I mean. Now, today, you can do as much as over 4,000, some even up to $40,000 in a month, in a quarter, I mean—$40,000 in a quarter”. Nantewe explained.
