Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her husband, President Bola Tinubu, against allegations of having a hand in the country’s economic hardship.
Oluremi Tinubu made the remarks while speaking at the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on Thursday, OBSEERVERSTIMES report.
Mrs. Tinubu said that President Tinubu should not be blamed for the current economic challenges.
The First Lady emphasized that the Tinubu administration is still in its early stages and should not be held responsible for the current economic situation.
She said, “We are just two years into our administration, we are not the cause of the current situation, we are trying to fix it and secure the future.
“We know that subsidy has been removed but with God on our side in the next two years Nigeria will be greater than this. Those who attempted removing subsidy before could not see it through. But with your prayers in the next two years, we will build a nation for the future.”
She also praised her husband’s character, saying he is not greedy and is already rich. He thanked God for making him Nigeria’s president.
“We give glory to God for our status, myself and my husband, we are not greedy but we thank God for what God has done for us. It is not common for rich people to get to this seat but I am grateful to God, we can not disappoint Nigeria and with the help of God, we are getting to the promised land in no distant time,” she said.
Nigerians have been struggling with economic hardship since the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration.
This has led to an increase in petrol prices from N198 to about N1,300. The floating of the foreign exchange market and removal of petrol subsidy have resulted in inflation, poverty, and increased unemployment.
Critics argue that President Tinubu’s reforms were implemented without considering their impact on vulnerable citizens.
Meanwhile, during her visit, Mrs. Tinubu donated N1 billion to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) for its development and advancement. She also inaugurated a hostel and 2.7-kilometer road donated to the university by the Ooni of Ife and named after her.
On his part, the Ooni of Ife commended Mrs. Tinubu for serving as a role model to young Nigerians since her days as First Lady of Lagos State. He recalled her New Era Initiative, which provided opportunities for young secondary school students to become governors in Lagos State.