The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Khadijat Omotayo, has called on Nigerians to stop criticizing the President over the removal of fuel subsidies.
She made this appeal on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, during a town hall meeting attended by market women, youth groups, labor leaders, farmers, traditional rulers, government officials, and students.
Omotayo noted that President Tinubu is dedicated to policies that will improve the lives of Nigerians. She stated that the funds saved from the subsidy removal have been distributed to all states and that the President has already increased workers’ salaries, with more increments expected during his tenure.
The presidential aide praised Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity, pointing out that her presence in Plateau State, a stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was proof of his willingness to work with all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation. She also commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his dedication to democracy and inclusive governance.
She said, “I don’t expect us at this point to keep attacking Mr President, who wants dividends of democracy to go down the states. If Mr President is a partisan politician. He won’t let me come to Plateau State, as we all know it is a PDP state. But I’m here to represent him just because he wants to carry everybody along. When it was an election period, we fought for it and got it. After the election, we have to carry all the good people of Nigerians along.”
Omotayo urged Nigerians to appreciate the President’s efforts instead of attacking him. She noted that the federal government has introduced a student loan program without collateral, allowing students to repay the loan two years after securing a job. According to her, this initiative is aimed at ensuring that all students have access to education without financial burden.
She encouraged young people to take advantage of the student loan program, saying, “Please, go and apply for the student loan. It is something that we should be clamouring for, but Mr President has deemed it fit as something he should do, which he has done. Let’s encourage our youth to go for the student loan so that they can continue with their education.”
Omotayo also called on Nigerians to work together in building a better country, urging them to hold their representatives accountable rather than directing all criticisms at the President. She emphasized that Tinubu remains committed to national development and is determined to fulfill his promises to the people.
Governor Mutfwang, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Youths, Musa Ashoms, expressed gratitude to the President for allowing his aide to hold the town hall meeting. He acknowledged the federal government’s efforts in Plateau State and requested further support, saying, “Mr President is doing a lot for us in Plateau, but like Oliver Twist, we are only asking for more. Like you said Emilokan, as Plateau State, it is our time for development.”
