President Bola Tinubu says he is aware of the excruciating pains and hardship Nigerians are passing through as a result of the various policy decisions of his administration.
Tinubu spoke during his visit to the leader of the Pan-yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, at his residence in Akure, Ondo state capital.
The President was on a private visit to the state to condole the family members of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Afenifere spokesman, Dare Ajayi, who attended the meeting, quoted Tinubu as saying he was working to reduce hardship in the country.
He said, “On the hardship Nigerians are facing, he (Tinubu) appreciates the pains Nigerians are going through and said that very soon Nigeria will overcome it.
“He said that it is a matter of time, that the kind of the policies government is implementing will bring positive solutions to the challenges.”
He said Tinubu explained that the country would soon get out of its economic woes by the time the country is properly restructured.
He added that the President noted that when he took the oath of office he knew what he met on the ground and also what he was currently facing.
He stated, “I’m quoting him now; “I prayed for it, I danced for it, I campaigned for it and I got it. I know the enormous responsibility so don’t pity me Baba (Fasoranti) just sit down and relax.
“He (Tinubu) assured Nigerians that the struggle he understood and that he is trying to build the structures that will not be reversed. He said the structure he is trying to put in place in Nigeria economically, socially and politically would be such that it would bring Nigeria back to where it is supposed to be.
“He also said that Nigeria is paying the loans and that the loans would be offset as soon as possible. He assured that Nigeria would very soon get out of the problem it is facing presently.
“On the issues of restructuring, he said that he is aware of the need to restructure Nigeria but that a proper foundation must be laid before bringing the restructuring in place such that if it is done in a rush without a proper foundation, the restructuring may collapse very soon but it would be done.”
Pa Fasoranti, in his speech, said Tinubu’s performance in power so far has shown that he understood the full gravity of the mandate given to him by the people.
The Afenifere leader said there was a need for the president to continue to govern fairly and courageously by addressing the concerns of Nigerians.
“It is now incumbent on you to address this issue of constitutional reforms with courage, fairness and determination. We know we cannot return to the past, but we have to seek a future where regional competitions would bring out the best in our country as it did during the First Republic.
“We seek therefore a true Federal Republic that would reflect fiscal federalism. If the derivation principle is good for oil, why is it not good for Value Added Tax for example? We believe a review of the 2014 National Constitutional Conference would help you in charting the course.
“For the people of the South-West, restructuring also has a more pressing meaning. Today, Nigeria has a population of 200 million which would double in the next 25 years to 400 million.”
He also urged the president to seek institutional reforms that would strengthen the federation and make Nigeria safer and more prosperous.
According to him, Afenifere wants each of the geopolitical zones to have greater responsibilities for security, food production and infrastructural development.
He said, “Since the removal of fuel subsidy, which was costing Nigeria 10 billion dollars yearly, the state governments have been receiving hefty allocations from the Federation account.
“Mr President should persuade the governors to allow this change of fortune for the states to reflect at the grassroots so that life can be better for our people. They should not just buy rice and yams for the people.”