Vice-President Kashim Shettima has appealed to Nigerians to show greater understanding towards President Bola Tinubu, saying the administration inherited an economy on the brink of collapse.
Shettima made the appeal in Lagos after meeting with Tinubu, who recently returned to the country following his annual vacation.
The Vice-President said Tinubu’s administration had taken difficult and far-reaching measures since assuming office in 2023 to prevent the economy from deteriorating further.
He also dismissed concerns about the President’s absence from the country, saying modern technology had enabled Tinubu to remain abreast of developments and continue providing leadership while abroad.
“We are quite thrilled that he’s back on the beat,” Shettima said.
“Advances in science and technology have made it possible to really have impactful leadership wherever one might find himself.”
Shettima urged Nigerians to consider the economic conditions inherited by the administration before judging its performance.
According to him, Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at only about $3.9bn when the administration took office, leaving the country under severe financial pressure.
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He said the situation forced the government to make difficult choices, including removing the petrol subsidy and harmonising the multiple exchange-rate windows.
“It is absolutely essential that Nigerians need to be generous to this poor man,” Shettima said, referring to Tinubu.
The Vice-President said Tinubu showed political courage by proceeding with reforms that he described as necessary to rescue the economy.
“When we assumed the mantle of leadership, our foreign reserves was a staggeringly low $3.9 billion that was not enough to import fuel for one month,” he said.
“He had the courage and the conviction to take power-reaching decisions.”
Shettima argued that the country was already heading towards a severe economic crisis before Tinubu assumed office, insisting that the President’s policies had prevented the situation from becoming worse.
“The economy was teetering on the verge of collapse,” he said.
“He saved the economy. I want Nigerians to understand this fundamental truism. We were on the road to Caracas; he saved our economy; he saved the nation from falling into pieces.”
While defending the reforms, Shettima acknowledged the economic hardship confronting households across the country.
He said the government recognised the difficulties Nigerians were experiencing as a result of the reforms and the broader cost-of-living crisis, but urged citizens not to lose hope.
“We appreciate the pains Nigerians are going through, but tough times do not last forever; tough people do,” Shettima added.