Vice President Confirms Tinubu Kept Subsidy Removal Plan Secret to Avoid Pressure
Vice President Kashim Shettima stated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deliberately concealed his plan to remove fuel subsidy to prevent resistance and ensure the reform was carried out.
According to multiple credible sources, Shettima revealed that the decision was made well before the May 2023 inauguration but was intentionally kept out of the inaugural speech to avoid pressure from vested interests.
He explained that including the policy earlier could have led to attempts to “persuade” or stop the move, potentially derailing what the administration considered a critical economic reform.
Further reports indicate the secrecy was also aimed at preventing market instability and speculation, which could have disrupted the economy ahead of implementation.
Tinubu eventually announced the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy during his inauguration, triggering immediate fuel price increases but marking one of the administration’s most significant economic policy shifts.
The Vice President framed the move as a calculated leadership decision designed to ensure execution of reforms seen as necessary to stabilize Nigeria’s finances, despite the short-term economic hardship it caused.
