I will repay your sacrifice with quality governance — Tinubu tells Nigerians
…Lauds MKO Abiola
By Ibiyemi Mathew & Joel Oladele
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that their sacrifice for a better nation will not be in vain.
President Tinubu gave this assurance in a Democracy Day broadcast yesterday on national television.
According to President Tinubu, “The democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices.
“It means social and economic justice for our people. To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty (30) years ago, he christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be eliminated with clearly thought out social and economic policies.
“It is for this reason that, in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich.
“I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.
“Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of a strong judiciary, President Tinubu noted that his administration will continue to carry out judicial reforms to strengthen the institution.
“The recent harmonisation of the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of law, which is a critical pillar of democracy. The reform has just started.
“It is about rule of law and vibrant judiciary that can be trusted to deliver justice and strengthen institutions. It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated.”
He added that those who disagree with the outcome of the last Presidential elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek redress in court and that is one of the reasons why democracy is still the best form of government invented by man.
“That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land,” the President said.
