It's Not In My Character To Abuse Past Governments — President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said that it is not in his character to blame past administrations for the socio-economic issues.

According to President Bola Tinubu, blaming previous administrations for Nigeria's socioeconomic and security issues is not in line with his character because he is dedicated to making the correct decisions to restructure the nation's finances and continue on the correct course for advancement.

The President gave a speech on Monday in Minna, the capital of Niger State, during the Agric Mechanization Revolution for Food Security flag-off ceremony. Many current Tinubu cabinet members, including Finance Minister Wale Edun, have attributed the nation's current socioeconomic and security issues to the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

Tinubu, who succeeded his partyman in May of last year, asserted that his priority is not placing the blame on previous administrations but rather implementing the necessary changes to put the country on a prosperous course. The president addressed the distinguished guests, who included governors such as the event's host, Mohammed Umar Bago, and agriculture enthusiasts, saying, “When you read the papers, some of us are confused whether to abuse the present or the past (governments) or make excuses for the future.”

The President said matter-of-factly, “(It's) not in my dictionary,” stressing that his main priorities are to “take action now, do your best, re-engineer the finances of the country and stay ahead of the right path.” People who are whining right now need to realize that a country can only become great through tenacity and determination.

Massive kidnappings, rising food and inflation rates, currency fluctuations, economic hardship, and high living expenses brought on by the elimination of fuel subsidies are all plaguing Nigeria and have sparked protests in some areas of the nation.

According to Channels Television reports, since the Tinubu administration closed the foreign exchange window, there has been a decline in the value of the Nigerian naira during the previous nine months. The value of the naira reached an all-time low, dropping from roughly N700/S1 in May of last year to over N1500/S1 currently. Since then, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has implemented numerous reforms, including the revocation of the licenses of over 4,000 Bureau de Change operators, and the authorities have shifted their attention to cryptocurrency platforms.

The President urged Nigerians to use the many opportunities for economic prosperity that the country presents. It's time for Nigeria to rise to the occasion and seize the chance economically. He emphasized that “we must take care of people and utilize our farming population, including livestock farming.” In addition, Tinubu vowed to work with governors to end hunger and urged them to maintain the current minimum wage while the wage award is being reviewed upward.

Moreover, Tinubu declared his commitment to putting an end to the economic disruption brought about by herders whose cows devastate farmlands. The President declared, “I know what it means as an act of economic sabotage when for roaming cows to eat up the crops and vegetations of our lands. I know it could be painful but when we reorient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, (this will end). You are the governors who must provide the land. Provide us the land. I, as the President, I am committed to giving you in two, three weeks' time, a comprehensive programme that will this problem.”

He said the Student Loan programme and other programmes of his administration which ought to have commenced are being fined- tuned. “The Student Loan Programme will commence. There will be employment benefits for our graduates. The social security programme for the elderly and vulnerable will commence. We are fine-tuning all of that,” he stated.