Vice-President Elect Kashim
Shettima has said that President-elect, Bola Tinubu will promptly address the issues of oil subsidy and multiple exchange rate system along with other decisions that Nigerians will find distasteful.
“Oil subsidy is an albatross on our neck, the multiple exchange rate system is a drain on the national economy. There are certain decisions the President-elect will take, but in the fullness of time, Nigerians will not only appreciate, but also celebrate us,” Shettima said yesterday at a public lecture held at the National Mosque during the Juma’at prayer, ahead of the presidential inauguration on Monday.
He urged Nigerians to unite for the revival of a great nation- hood, saying “We’re united by our common heritage of poverty and insecurity, among others. This is time for all of us to coalesce into a single force.
“Ours is a great nation waiting to unleash its great potentials to the world. China was once called a sleeping giant, but today, China has woken up. Nigeria needs to wake up. We are calling on all of you to pray for us for God’s guidance.”
He assured that the President-elect would move very swiftly, saying “We do not have the luxury of time.
The challenges facing us are getting worse. We are living in a pressing time. Be rest assured that in the fullness of time, Nigeria will pay glowing tributes to us. The starting point might not be rosy, let me be very honest with you.”
Also speaking, President Muhammadu Buhari described Nigeria as a country with great potential, stating that the problems of economy and insecurity were not peculiar to the nation.
The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said, “The problems we have had within the economy, secu- rity and social sector are not peculiar to us. The potentials are always there to make the country great.
“How we managed during COVID-19, the Russian/ Ukrainian war, among others, have shown how Nigerians can come out of difficult situations.”
Buhari urged Nigerians to support the incoming adminis- tration, stating, “Elections have come and gone. Another set of leaders have been elected. It is our duty to give them the necessary cooperation to enable them deliver their plans towards transforming Nigeria.
“As citizens, we must turn our differences into our source of strength to enable progres- sive development.”