Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to show more understanding towards President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the administration took difficult economic decisions to prevent Nigeria from sliding into deeper crisis.
Shettima spoke in Lagos on Saturday after meeting with Tinubu, who recently returned to Nigeria following his annual vacation abroad.
The Vice-President said he and the President remained in regular communication throughout Tinubu’s time outside the country, adding that advances in technology had made it possible for leaders to remain actively engaged even while travelling.
“We are quite thrilled that he’s back on the beat. Advances in science and technology have made it possible to really have impactful leadership wherever one might find himself,” Shettima said.
‘He Saved the Economy’
Shettima urged Nigerians to consider the difficult economic circumstances the Tinubu administration inherited when assessing its policies.
He specifically pointed to the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the country’s multiple foreign exchange markets as major decisions taken by the administration.
“It is absolutely essential that Nigerians need to be generous to this poor man,” Shettima said.
He claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at just $3.9 billion when the administration assumed office, saying the amount was insufficient to cover even one month of fuel imports.
According to Shettima, Tinubu nevertheless proceeded with what he described as “power-reaching decisions” because of the seriousness of the situation facing the country.
The Vice-President said the economy was already close to collapse when Tinubu took office.
“He saved the economy. I want Nigerians to understand this fundamental truism. We were on the road to Caracas; he saved our economy; he saved the nation from falling into pieces,” he said.
Shettima acknowledged that Nigerians were experiencing significant economic pressure as a result of the difficult period but argued that the hardship would eventually ease.
“We appreciate the pains Nigerians are going through, but tough times do not last forever; tough people do,” he added.
FG Plans More Measures to Ease Hardship
Shettima also highlighted some of the Federal Government’s programmes aimed at reducing the impact of the economic challenges on citizens.
He announced plans to launch an e-logistics initiative in the North-West within the coming weeks.
The Vice-President also said 10,600 electric tricycles would be deployed to the North-East as part of efforts to reduce transportation difficulties and ease pressure on residents.
In addition, he said the government would deploy 300 buses and e-taxis to help reduce the burden on commuters.
Shettima said Tinubu remained concerned about the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians and described the President as someone who has “a lot of empathy for the common man.”
He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as an important government intervention designed to enable students from low-income families to access higher education.
According to him, the administration would continue introducing programmes and projects aimed at cushioning the effects of the economic challenges.
‘We’ll Combine Politics and Governance’
With political activities already increasing ahead of the 2027 elections, Shettima acknowledged that the administration would have to balance political engagement with its responsibilities of governing the country.
“Politics is in the air, but we’ll combine politics and governance,” he said.
The Vice-President maintained that despite the political season, the administration would continue focusing on its economic and development programmes.
