Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris has called on Nigerians to come together and move the country forward after Supreme Court affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as lawfully elected candidate of the February 25 Presidential elections.
Idris who made the call during a Press Conference in Abuja on Friday, which follows the Supreme Court rulings on the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions, said all hands must be on deck to tackle the challenges confronting Nigeria without distraction.
He said the Courts have spoken and the President and the ruling party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) have welcomed pronounced victory, thanked the Judiciary for painstaking work and for rising up to occasion in fulfilment of constitutional mandate as the final arbiters of electoral proceedings in the country.
According to him, “Now that the legal contest regarding the outcome of the Presidential election is now behind us, it is time for all of us to come together and move forward, into a season of governing that is without distraction. These are challenging economic times, not just for Nigeria, but for many countries around the world.
The Minister added that, “and all hands must be on deck to tackle the challenges confronting us. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that he will be President for all Nigerians: regardless of regional, ethnic, partisan, or religious affiliations.
Recalling Tinubu’s assumption of office on May 29, 2023 he said the President has been working tirelessly to actualize Renewed Hope Agenda that formed the basis of his coming into office.
“He has implemented unprecedented reforms that, while tough and painful in the short term, are necessary foundations for the economic growth and prosperity that the people of Nigeria deserve.
“The removal of petrol subsidies, which as you all know were already envisaged by the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021, is freeing up significant resources for Federal and State Governments to invest in the infrastructure and welfare programs for the benefit of citizens.
“Similarly, the ongoing liberalization of the foreign exchange regime is designed to close loopholes and gaps that have been exploited in very unscrupulous ways over the years, leading to the loss of billions of dollars in our scarce, hard-earned resources”.
Idris pointed out that the combined impact of these reforms has no doubt produced pain for many of Nigerian citizens, which President and the administration have never shied away from acknowledging these difficulties.
He said no serious government seeks to inflict burdens on its people, adding that the Tinubu-led Federal Goverment is very clear in explaining that these pains being felt are a short-term sacrifice to make for the kind of country that every nigerian want and that they deserve.
The Minister pressed further that the Tinubu Administration is taking all necessary steps to alleviate these pains, and cushion the impact of the foundational reforms embarking on, while outlined some of the efforts so far, in the short and medium-term, to make life better for all Nigerians, even as the country await longer -term benefits of the reforms.
“A provisional wage increment of N35,000 monthly for six months, to enhance federal minimum wage, without causing undue inflation. Establishment of an Infrastructure Support Fund for States to invest in critical areas that will create enabling environment for businesses.
“Launch of a 100 Billion Naira CNG bus rollout programme, to deliver CNG-powered buses, establishment of a Presidential Committee to drive implementation. Since he assumed office, the President has signed no fewer than five Executive Orders, aimed at improving business and fiscal environment, and increasing foreign exchange supply.
“Establishment of a Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee to reform the tax system while also reducing tax burden on Nigerians. The Committee has this week presented its first set of reform proposals to the President, and Nigerians can rest assured that they will be implemented.
“I must emphasize that one of the primary mandates of the Committee is to reduce the tax burdens and complications faced by Nigerians.
We are finalizing the process for payment of a Cash Transfer of N25,000 monthly to 15 million of the poorest, most vulnerable households in Nigeria, for three months among others.
“These are in addition to the programs and policies that the States are themselves rolling out on their own. We must always highlight the fact that the government’s contributions to solving Nigeria’s problems lie in the collective effort of Federal and sub-national governments”, he said.
The Minister noted that the Federal Goverment will not abdicate its responsibilities, but also important to explain that it can’t do it alone. “State and Local Governments have very important roles to play, and this is why the President has an open-door policy when it comes to engaging with State Governors.
“And finding ways to support them to more deliver more effectively on their mandates which prompted approved of number of financing packages that will see several States receiving significant support to deliver on various programs, including access to education for adolescent girls”.
He appealed to Nigerians to please exercise patience and optimism that Nigeria will emerge from this chapter stronger and more prosperous. “This is our country, it belongs to all of us, regardless of who we may have voted for in the last elections.
“We want a country that works for all of us, no matter what our cultural, religious or political differences might be. To guarantee this kind of country that works on all levels, for all its people, let us strive to put our differences aside, to believe the best about our country, and to support our elected leaders. Let our criticisms be constructive, let our actions be honest and patriotic”.