My Husband Not Cause Of Hardship – Tinubu’s Wife

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has come to the defense of her husband, President Bola Tinubu, amidst rising economic hardship in Nigeria, asserting that he should not bear the blame for the current situation.

This statement comes as Nigerians grapple with escalating prices following the removal of the fuel subsidy, which saw petrol prices surge from ₦198 to ₦1,030 per litre.

During an event at the Palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, the First Lady emphasized that the Tinubu administration is still in its early stages and should be given time to implement its policies.

She stated that the administration is focused on addressing the nation’s challenges and fostering economic growth.

The fuel subsidy was abolished during President Tinubu’s inaugural address on May 29, 2023, with the President citing the policy as an impediment to Nigeria’s progress.

The decision, however, has sparked widespread criticism and discontent among citizens facing increasing financial strain.

Senator Tinubu was in Ife to inaugurate a hostel and a 2.7-kilometer road named after her, which were donated to Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ University (OAU) by the Ooni of Ife.

She said, “We are just two years into our administration, we are not the cause of the current situation, we are trying to fix it and secure the future.

“We know that subsidy has been removed but with God on our side in the next two years Nigeria will be greater than this. Those who attempted removing subsidy before could not see it through. But with your prayers in the next two years, we will build a nation for the future.”

The president’s wife added that her husband is not greedy, thanking God for making him emerge Nigeria’s number one citizen.

“We give glory to God for our status, myself and my husband, we are not greedy but we thank God for what God has done for us. It is not common for rich people to get to this seat but I am grateful to God, we can not disappoint Nigeria and with the help of God, we are getting to the promised land in no distant time,” she said.

The First Lady, who disclosed that she graduated from OAU 41 years ago, donated ₦1 Billion to the university for its development and advancement.

While speaking, the Ooni of Ife lauded the Wife of the President for serving as role model to young ones since her days as First Lady of Lagos State.

The traditional ruler said, “I have been a keen admirer of Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a young man eking out a living in Lagos. One of my major attractions was the New Era Initiative especially as it concerns the One Day Governor in Lagos that is totally detribalised and provided opportunities to young secondary school boys and girls to become Governor in Lagos State. This has been a milestone and major inspiration for the younger ones to aspire and proper.”