We won’t cut corners to revive Economy amidst Hardship – Shettima

Yesterday, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that the administration led by President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring Nigeria’s economic recovery without taking any shortcuts.

He highlighted that the president’s decisions aimed at saving Nigeria from economic decline involved tough but necessary choices to secure long-term stability and prosperity.

These remarks were made during the inaugural Asiwaju Scorecard Series event, organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum in Abuja.

Represented by his special adviser on general duties, Dr Aliyu Moddibo Umar, Shettima explained that removing the fuel subsidy was a strategic move to address the nation’s unsustainable debt service-to-revenue ratio, which had reached concerning levels in recent years.

During our efforts to revive the economy, he emphasized the importance of avoiding shortcuts and embracing necessary sacrifices.

These measures are vital in paving the way for a better future for Nigeria. As we consistently implement our policies, we anticipate an enhancement in our economic indicators and foresee substantial growth ahead.

He highlighted the significance of our interventions in thwarting economic sabotage by uncovering and holding accountable those responsible for activities such as currency manipulation and institutionalized corruption that hinder the nation’s progress.

Shettima emphasized that the government was well aware of the challenges ahead when it decided to lead the country through tough economic times. Initiatives like creating new businesses and expanding the National MSME Clinics are aimed at generating more job opportunities and promoting economic inclusivity.

The launch of a student loan scheme, led by Mr. Jim Ovia for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, reflects our dedication to empowering young people for success. Shettima assured that interventions for vulnerable or disadvantaged Nigerians will be provided without bias.

The vice president highlighted the government’s strong stance against corruption through high-profile cases and emphasized the ongoing digitization of revenue collection across all sectors to improve transparency and yield positive outcomes.

Shettima called on all Nigerians to be patient and work together as the government strives for a future of security, prosperity, and hope for everyone.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the APC, emphasized his commitment to securing Tinubu’s reelection and expanding the party’s influence in more states following the 2027 election.

He announced the formation of a reconciliation committee at various levels to mend relationships among disgruntled party members.

We are in the process of transforming our party into a grassroots progressive organization. Our state branches have been instructed to collaborate with governors and other key figures to establish fully operational offices in every political ward and state.

This will ensure that our members nationwide have local representation and access to party activities throughout the year, not just during election seasons.

To facilitate member registration, we have requested three nominations from each senatorial zone for a train-the-trainer program in Abuja.

Following this, the program will be officially launched in Niger State at a later date. The primary goal of this registration initiative is to gather comprehensive membership data for future planning purposes.

During his welcoming speech, Dr. Isa Yuguda, the chairman of the APC Professionals Forum’s Board of Trustees (BoT), emphasized that Tinubu cannot be blamed for the existing problems in the economy and other sectors.

He noted that Tinubu inherited challenges that could have worsened if not addressed properly, but he is now leading crucial reforms to improve society.

When Tinubu took office, he announced the removal of fuel subsidy, which was misinterpreted by some as affecting PMS subsidy in the 2023 budget.

However, it is important to clarify that Tinubu did not remove PMS subsidy. Dr. Isa Yuguda highlighted his long-standing opposition to fuel subsidy dating back to the Goodluck Jonathan era when he chaired a subcommittee on economic issues and recommended its removal due to fraudulent activities associated with it.