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Subsidy Removal: ‘I Feel Your Pain, Your Sacrifice Won’t Be In Vain’, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

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President Bola Tinubu on Monday sympathised with Nigerians over the pains of the recent subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol. 

In his 2023 Democracy Day speech on June 12, the President said his decision to remove fuel subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023 is to save Nigeria country from going under and take the country’s resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

He asked Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of the country.

Democracy Day is celebrated yearly on June 12 in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and other heroes of democracy.

Addressing Nigerians on Monday, Tinubu said, “The democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices. It means social and economic justice for our people.

“To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty years ago, he (MKO Abiola) christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be eliminated with clearly thought-out social and economic policies.

“It is for this reason that, in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich.

“I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

“Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.”

From N184/Litre To Over N500

The President during his inaugural speech on May 29 at the Eagle Square in Abuja had announced the removal of subsidy payment on petrol. The President said that the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari did not make provisions for subsidy in the 2023 budget beyond June.

Many Nigerians had expected that the new price regime would come into effect by July 1 but almost immediately after the presidential pronouncement, queues resurfaced at filling stations across the country even as retail outlets hoard the product and increase prices.

Already, a litre of petrol is being sold at over N500 across the country following the price adjustment by the Nigerian National Petrol Company (NNPC) Limited and the presidential pronouncement on subsidy removal.

Fuel queues have since surged for the vital commodity, compounding the traffic situation in parts of the country, even as transportation costs skyrocket to more than 100% increment.

The Organised Labour had resolved to embark on a nationwide strike beginning Wednesday but was restrained by a court order of Monday, June 5, 2023. The Organised Labour subsequently shelved its planned strike after a meeting with the Federal Government last week.

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National Police Council Ratifies Disu’s Appointment

Disu is now expected to proceed to the senate for confirmation as the last hurdle before attaining a substantive position as the IGP.

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The National Police Council has ratified the appointment of Olatunji Disu as the acting Inspector General of Police.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu , the third National Police Council session under his administration since taking office.

Disu was nominated by the president last week following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun .

Disu is now expected to proceed to the senate for confirmation as the last hurdle before attaining a substantive position as the IGP

The National Police Council is responsible for the organisation, administration and operational oversight of the Nigeria Police Force, including the appointment and discipline of senior officers.Governors of Kwara, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Enugu and Plateau states attended the meeting, alongside the ministers of Police Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory and Interior.

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DSS Arrests Suspect Over Edo Attack on Peter Obi, Others

Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.

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• Suspect Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man suspected of being behind the recent attempt to assassinate the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Obi, a former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun, and several chieftains and members of the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), on February 24, escaped death by the whiskers when armed men fired several gunshots at them at their party’s meeting in Benin.

Shortly after the attack, one Udeme Monday Stephen, posted on his X account @stevetom788.

He claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened further attacks on Obi.

Stephen stated online that Obi was lucky to have escaped in Benin, and vowed that the former presidential candidate wouldn’t be that lucky next time.

“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one…

“I learned that he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target… Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” posted Udeme.

A top security source disclosed that, no sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.

The source disclosed that the suspect is 26 year old called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.

“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect,” the source stressed”

You know that, as a responsible security organisation saddled with the task of counter-espionage, VIP protection, among other asset protection duties, the DSS is always alive to its responsibility of investigating credible intelligence, irrespective of tribe or religion.

“They swiftly deployed operatives and the man who threatened Peter Obi was nabbed and is in custody,” the source declared, adding that Stephen would soon be charged to court.

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Chaos at Lagos Airport tollgate as cashless policy commences

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The implementation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) new cashless payment policy at airport access gates sparked significant chaos and gridlock at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) tollgate in Lagos on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Motorists and passengers faced long delays, with vehicles backing up at the toll lanes as many drivers attempted to register for the required prepaid “Go Cashless” cards on the spot.

The policy, which took full effect nationwide on March 1, 2026, prohibits cash payments at airport toll gates, car parks, executive lounges, and other revenue points, mandating the use of contactless prepaid cards issued by FAAN.

The sudden enforcement caught numerous users unprepared, despite prior announcements and publicity campaigns urging early registration at designated FAAN offices or points near entrances.

Reports described heated exchanges between drivers and toll officials, failed electronic transactions, and confusion over the new system, leading to some passengers missing flights and widespread frustration.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, confirmed that no cash payments were accepted on the first day, attributing the congestion to on-site registrations. He emphasized that the initiative aims to eliminate revenue leakages, enhance transparency, and align with the Federal Government’s push for a cashless economy, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria.In response to the disruptions,

FAAN issued an appeal for patience and cooperation from motorists and airport users. The authority noted it had deployed additional personnel to the gates and increased registration points to speed up processing for first-time users.

Officials acknowledged the initial adjustment challenges as typical for such a major transition but assured that operations would stabilize over time.Similar gridlock was reported at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, highlighting nationwide implementation hiccups on day one.

FAAN reiterated that prepaid cards enable faster, safer, and more convenient transactions moving forward, with provisions made for easy access and activation.

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