President Bola Tinubu ruled out restoring Nigeria’s petrol subsidy at a gathering of young supporters Monday, BusinessDay reported, linking his economic policies to efforts to mobilize voters for 2027.
The meeting with the City Boy Movement took place at the State House in Abuja. Tinubu told the group he would continue the policies his government has pursued since taking office in May 2023, BusinessDay reported.
The State House identified subsidy removal, changes to currency policy and tax restructuring as parts of that agenda. It said Tinubu encouraged peaceful political participation and asked supporters to help eligible Nigerians obtain and use Permanent Voter Cards.
The effort to defend those policies comes after Tinubu acknowledged the hardship they have caused. In his Oct. 1 address, Tinubu acknowledged the reforms’ painful effects but said some families’ struggles predated them. Some still faced difficulty covering meals, school fees, medical bills and travel to work.
The address cited decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure and limited opportunity as causes. It also said the government was expanding direct assistance for poorer households and support for education.
Tinubu has argued for redirecting subsidy spending to other needs. In his May 2023 inaugural address, he said the money should support infrastructure, education, health care and jobs. He acknowledged in a June address that year that ending the subsidy would add to Nigerians’ burden.
BusinessDay reported that the City Boy Movement set a goal of mobilizing at least 10 million youth votes for Tinubu’s re-election.
The campaign follows a Nigerian forum’s call for voters to track government delivery ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027. Governorship and state assembly elections are set for Feb. 6.
