Abuja -October 21, 2026
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, describing it as a difficult but necessary step that successive administrations recognised as essential but lacked the political courage to implement.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday at a political stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where he urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The minister argued that previous presidents understood the problems associated with the petrol subsidy regime but were unwilling to take the decisive action required to abolish it.
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“There is no president that came that said fuel subsidy was not a scam. Every president said it was a scam. But nobody had that courage to say it will go,” Wike said.
He recalled that Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, describing the decision as a demonstration of political will in tackling a longstanding economic challenge.
However, Wike acknowledged that the policy had contributed to the rising cost of living, placing considerable financial pressure on households and businesses across the country.
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He expressed optimism that the situation would improve as the administration’s economic reforms stabilised, arguing that the immediate difficulties were part of the sacrifice required to achieve long-term economic progress.
“We agree that the cost of things are a bit high. By the time the reform is stabilised, the cost of living will come down. That is the sacrifice of removing the fuel subsidy,” he said.
The FCT minister also defended the administration’s broader economic policies, claiming that the reforms had helped improve the financial position of state governments and contributed to greater stability in the public sector.
Wike further cited the absence of strikes in public universities during the period under review as evidence of progress under Tinubu’s administration.
“Since three years now, has there been any strike in university? Has there been any strike? Let us just say the truth. There has been no strike,” he said.
Despite his defence of the government, Wike acknowledged that the administration had yet to resolve all the country’s challenges, insisting that progress should also be recognised.
“We cannot say that this administration has solved every problem, no. But within the three years they have come, they have solved a lot of problems,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come amid continuing public debate over the economic consequences of subsidy removal, particularly its impact on petrol prices, transportation costs, food prices and the purchasing power of Nigerians.
While the Federal Government has defended the policy as part of its efforts to reform the economy, many households and businesses continue to grapple with the cost-of-living pressures associated with higher energy and transportation expenses.
Wike also used the occasion to canvass political support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, urging members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the FCT to support the President and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He cited the involvement of opposition party members in mobilising support for Tinubu as evidence of growing political cooperation ahead of the next general elections.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the minister maintained that the President’s willingness to take difficult economic decisions distinguished his administration from previous governments, urging Nigerians to assess the reforms in the context of their anticipated long-term benefits.
