Vice President Kashim Shettima has shed light on why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to keep the removal of fuel subsidies under wraps until after his inauguration. Speaking on Friday in Lagos during a Sallah visit to Tinubu alongside the Nigerian Governors Forum, Shettima explained that the president deliberately excluded the policy from his public speeches to avoid external pressure.
According to Shettima, Tinubu made the decision and guarded it closely, believing that if he had announced his intentions earlier, many would have tried to dissuade him. “You kept it a top secret,” Shettima remarked, adding that the move showcased courage, audacity, and foresight. He praised Tinubu for prioritizing long-term national gain over short-term political convenience.
The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the administration’s strategy for implementing one of its most controversial economic policies. By springing the subsidy removal as a surprise, Tinubu avoided intense lobbying and ensured that the decision was executed without delay.