President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria can not continue to be a Father Christmas to the neighbouring countries in the guise of subsidy on the premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
Politics Nigeria reports that Tinubu made this known at a meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) at Aso Rock on Friday.
According to him, his administration took the right decision by removing the subsidy on petrol.
He described the subsidy as an elephant that could have brought the country to its knees because it struggles to pay salaries.
He said Nigeria should not be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries by providing them subsidised petrol.
Tinubu said:
“You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we, in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?
“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries, and we say we have the potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing.”
