President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised that his administration will invest massively in transportation infrastructure, education, power supply, healthcare, and other public utilities to improve the lives of Nigerians to repay Nigerians for removal of fuel subsidy.

The President made the promise in a a national broadcast to mark June 12, the first Democracy Day he will celebrate since his inauguration as president on 29 May, 2023.

In the national broadcast to be aired on national televisions and radio stations at 7am today morning, Tinubu acknowledged that the decision to remove fuel subsidy has resulted in pain for some Nigerians.

He likened the decision to remove fuel subsidy to the promise made by the acclaimed winner of annulled June 12, 1993 election, late MKO Abiola during his campaign.

President Tinubu said: “To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty 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.”

“The democracy MKO Abiola died for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over the personal interests of the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfilment and happiness. That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993.

He said in line with the promise of Abiola about three decades ago, the removal of fuel subsidy, as he announced when he was being sworn-in on 29 May will free up “collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich,” for investments in social utilities that will improve the livelihood of generality of Nigerians.

He added that the decision was also necessary to prevent Nigeria from going under economically.

The President said, “I admit that the decision will impose an 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.”